Chapter 186 Heart Knot

Chapter 186 Heart Knot

Sandra never expected Joanna to say something like that. She knew Joanna was hoping she could be a bit stronger and not let herself feel wronged over a man.

In fact, after going through so much, Sandra's personality had already changed.

Life was so long, and her children had all grown up. She really should go find her younger self and enjoy more of her own life.

So, starting today, she would no longer be Mrs. Jones, but would live under her own name.

Sandra.

She stroked the name on the divorce certificate and smiled.

As she smiled, a tear fell onto the divorce certificate.

Sandra didn't wipe it away. Instead, she hugged her daughter tightly.

How lucky she was to have such an understanding daughter.

If it weren't for Joanna, she probably would have died in that hospital bed long ago. How would she have had the time to open her eyes and see the world outside?

When Victor came over and saw both mother and daughter with red eyes, he thought they'd been bullied. His tone immediately became anxious: "What happened? Sandra, if someone's bullying you, tell me. Your brother may not be very capable, but at least I can protect you."

Sandra shook her head. "I'm just feeling a bit sad about separating from Joanna, that's all."

Victor was silent for a moment, then said, "There'll be chances to meet again. Joanna can come on business trips or visit Valeria anytime, and we can go back home to see her too."

Sandra nodded and didn't get emotional again.

Over the next two days, Victor helped Sandra pack up her things at home and arranged for shipping with a logistics company.

Idris was like a child who got the candy he wanted, happy every day, often clinging to Sandra to play.

Before her mother left the country, Joanna also went to see Henry.

After being rescued last time, Henry really had lost his mind. He could only stay lucid for a few minutes each day.

Dr. Bruce had examined Henry's condition and suspected that the shock had caused permanent cognitive and intellectual damage.

"If I asked you about my mother's background now, you probably couldn't answer, could you?"

Standing by Henry's hospital bed, Joanna's voice was soft.

She didn't expect Henry to understand her words and answer her.

But unexpectedly, Henry looked up blankly, thought slowly for a moment, and asked, "Your mother?"

Joanna seized the opportunity and said, "Yes, Sandra. Do you still remember your wife?"

Henry slowly nodded. "Wife... Sandra... she was trafficked here..."

Henry clapped his hands happily. "She has no mother..."

Joanna wasn't surprised by this answer.

She didn't want to dig into exactly how her mother had been trafficked back then.

It seemed Victor really was her uncle. No matter what, this blood relationship couldn't be severed.

What made Joanna happier was that her mother finally had a new family and had become someone who was loved and cherished.

As for Henry, as his daughter, she would fulfill her duty to support him, but if there were any additional demands, Joanna wouldn't provide anything more.

After this meeting, Joanna never dealt with Henry again. Apart from the regular payments to the nursing home, she never set foot there again.

Meanwhile, through this period of running and managing the company, Lyle had filled all the holes that Jones Corp had dug.

On the day they officially turned a profit, Joanna paid to treat the company employees to dinner.

Chad had also come out of rehab and started an internship at Jones Corp.

Probably afraid of being abandoned by Joanna, he performed exceptionally hard.

Even Joanna, who hadn't expected much from him, couldn't help but sigh when she saw this: "Does this mean he's gotten through his rebellious phase and started growing up?"

Lyle smiled and gave a positive answer. "Everyone makes mistakes. Chad was just overprotected by your father before. After going through all this, he should understand what's really important. It's good that he's changed like this. At least you don't have to worry about him anymore, right?"

Joanna nodded and looked at Lyle. The two exchanged smiles. Seeing Chad getting along well with his coworkers, they both felt much more relaxed inside.

After everything was settled, Joanna returned to work at the hospital.

Many new colleagues had joined the orthopedics department, and Leo had been taking care of things this whole time.

So when she came back, Joanna brought him a gift to thank him, which finally stopped his complaints.

As for the new doctors, since the director had never appeared, they worried that the rhythm they'd just gotten used to would change again.

So they all looked at Joanna with restraint in their eyes, not even daring to chat with her.

Joanna had no intention of restricting them too much. As the hospital director said, everyone was already tired from doing surgeries and working night shifts. Other rules could be appropriately relaxed and didn't need to be so strict.

So after returning to the hospital, she didn't make any rule adjustments. Things would continue as they had been.

After all, she was clear about her position—currently just an acting director.

Once the new department director arrived, she'd be the same as everyone else.

After work, Dr. Lawson called and asked, "By the way, Joanna, you didn't go to Mr. Suss's academic conference last time. When it ended, he specifically asked me about you. Mr. Suss wants to invite you to meet. Do you have time?"

"I..." Joanna hesitated, not knowing whether she should agree.

When she got the invitation, her first thought had been to avoid it.

So when so many things happened later, she naturally forgot about the invitation.

But Dr. Lawson's call forced her to face this matter again.

Dr. Lawson had probably heard something from Mr. Suss. He sighed and smiled encouragingly. "Don't run away, Joanna. You have to face it eventually."

"Okay, I understand." Joanna sighed. "Thank you, Dr. Lawson. I'll contact my teacher myself later."

Dr. Lawson smiled and hung up.

Back home, Joanna was still thinking about this.

After much thought, she called Linda.

"Professor, how have you been feeling lately?"

Linda was a bit surprised she would call, but still answered, "Very busy lately. I haven't told you yet—after the charity design competition last time, many manufacturers wanted to buy the copyright for mass production, but unfortunately the leadership shut it down. But these businesses won't give up. They keep trying to get your contact information from me. Joanna, when will you come back and continue designing gowns?"

Joanna had been so busy lately that she hadn't had time to pay attention to this. She had no idea that her charity work had been submitted to Fashion Week for judging and had won an award.

Learning about this from Linda, she was somewhat surprised.

"Professor, I've been busy for a while and haven't had time to design. If I'm not so busy later, I can design some pieces in small quantities. I'll have to trouble you to help me sell them and put them online."

Linda seemed dissatisfied, but her tone was full of pride. "When did I, a master in the design world, become your little customer service rep?"

Joanna smiled awkwardly. The two chatted for a while before getting to the main topic.

Joanna took the initiative to ask, "Professor, do you have any news about Professor Suss lately?"