Chapter 188 Mr. Suss

Chapter 188 Mr. Suss

As a mother, not being able to see her daughter get married was Sandra's only regret.

Even though Angelo and Joanna made up for it with an engagement ceremony in the hospital room, it still felt different for Sandra who wasn't there in person.

Joanna understood her mother's guilt and regret. She nodded firmly, her voice choking up, "You will, Mom. You'll see me get married, and you'll definitely see Chad find happiness too. We still have plenty of time ahead to celebrate our new lives."

At that moment, Victor walked over and nodded at Angelo as a greeting.

Then he said to Joanna, "Joanna, actually Valeria's pharmaceutical research is more advanced than what we have here. Maybe if you get tired of working at Grace General Hospital, you could come abroad and work with me."

Joanna knew of course that Valeria's pharmaceutical research technology was more advanced than back home, but she wanted to contribute to Austin City's medical field.

So no matter how Victor tried to persuade her, Joanna still shook her head, "Even if Valeria's pharmaceutical research is more advanced, I want to do what I love. I have colleagues and friends here that I know well, and more importantly, I have the person I love and want to spend my life with. If I get the chance, I'll visit Mom and you abroad often. Mr. Qin, I'll have to trouble you to look after them."

Hearing Joanna being so formal, Victor felt a bit disappointed inside.

He didn't know what he needed to do for Joanna to accept him as her uncle.

But emotional matters couldn't be rushed. After all, he had missed so many years with Sandra and Joanna. Short-term efforts couldn't show true feelings - he believed in relationships that developed slowly over time.

Unable to persuade Joanna, Victor turned to Angelo and said, "Although my niece and I just recognized each other, as her only uncle, if you treat her badly, I won't mind moving my business back home and competing with Mr. Smith."

Angelo raised an eyebrow and replied casually, "I don't think I'll give you that chance, Mr. Qin."

He treasured Joanna - how could he possibly hurt her?

The look between the two men said it all.

Sandra smiled and smoothed things over, "Alright, it's just going abroad. Maybe I won't adapt well overseas and will come back soon. Plus we can stay in touch by phone. Okay, it's almost time to board. Joanna, you and Angelo should head back early too. Remember to start preparing for your wedding soon - Mom is waiting to come back for your wedding."

Joanna nodded, gave some more instructions about the care Dr. Bruce had prescribed, and finally left reluctantly.

On the way back, looking at the scenery along the road, Joanna felt a sense of unreality and couldn't help sighing, "Time really flies. I used to think my mom would have to lie in that hospital bed forever, unable to get up and see the world again. I never expected the new medication research would actually control her condition effectively, and now she can even go abroad for treatment."

Angelo drove carefully while responding, "Valeria's medical technology is indeed quite good. Maybe after your mom gets to Valeria, her condition will improve even more."

Joanna nodded, "I hope so."

Joanna wasn't sad about this brief separation, because before long, she would be going to Valeria to visit Mr. Suss.

This time Angelo couldn't go with her because of work, so Joanna took the flight alone.

She didn't expect that the seat next to hers on the plane would also be occupied by someone familiar - Chris.

Before the plane took off, Joanna asked the flight attendant if she could switch seats or upgrade.

But the attendant politely refused, "I'm sorry, ma'am, this flight is fully booked. We can't arrange a seat change for you at the moment."

Chris felt a bit disappointed hearing that Joanna didn't want to sit with him.

Today's flight wasn't something he had specially arranged. When he saw Joanna board, he had been glad that fate hadn't completely cut off their connection.

He didn't expect Joanna's attitude to be like a bucket of cold water poured on him, instantly extinguishing his anticipation and joy.

After the flight attendant left, Chris explained in a low voice, "I'm not stalking you. This business trip is because of a project I need to oversee personally."

Joanna shrugged, closed her eyes directly, and refused to communicate.

Throughout the journey, she didn't give Chris any chance to talk, but Chris didn't lose his enthusiasm because of Joanna's attitude.

He asked the flight attendant for meals and blankets, and kept checking if Joanna was comfortable during the flight.

Even after arriving at Valeria airport, he followed Joanna closely.

Walking to the exit and noticing that Joanna hadn't arranged for a car in advance, Chris offered his own car to Joanna.

"Take my car. If you're worried I might hurt you, I can wait for the next one."

Joanna glanced at him, then at her phone. She was running late for her appointment with Mr. Suss, so she didn't refuse and got in the car and left.

"Thanks."

Watching the car's exhaust fade into the distance, Chris sighed.

To repair the relationship between him and Joanna, there was probably still a long way to go.

He wondered if Angelo would give him that chance.

After leaving the airport, Joanna didn't go see Mr. Suss right away. She went to the hotel first, freshened up, and changed clothes.

Then she followed the directions to find the estate where Mr. Suss lived.

As soon as she reached the entrance, she noticed something was wrong - there were many cars parked outside.

Inside the estate, the servants were rather quiet too, as if something bad had happened. The atmosphere was particularly heavy.

The further Joanna walked, the more her unease grew, until she saw with her own eyes that Mr. Suss's bed was surrounded by many people, and even emergency medical equipment was set up beside the bed, as if ready for resuscitation at any moment.

Joanna's tears couldn't help but fall. She immediately rushed over and grabbed the frail old man's hand, her voice choking, "Teacher, I'm sorry... Joanna came too late."

The old man in the bed was already somewhat unconscious and didn't know who was holding his hand.

He kept staring at the ceiling, his eyes full of unwillingness and anticipation.

Mr. Suss couldn't make any sound now, but his emotions were conveyed to the other relatives and friends, and everyone kept their heads down, not daring to speak.

Finally, Mr. Suss's son walked over, patted Joanna's shoulder, and handed her a handkerchief.

"Ms. Jones, please calm down first. My father is almost 90 years old now. Even if he really passes away, it would be a natural death at a good age. He's been holding on, not letting go, because he's been waiting for you to come. You can get closer and talk to him."

Joanna nodded, took the handkerchief but didn't use it. Instead, she moved even closer to Mr. Suss.