Chapter 77 Nicole’s Apology
Joanna called to explain: "Sorry Peter, I've had a lot of patients at the hospital lately and don't have time to appear in court. You already know what I want, so please help me out in court. I'll pay you what you're owed."
Peter chuckled: "Don't worry about it. We're friends now, and besides, you're a client Mr. Smith referred to me. I'll do my best with your case."
"Thank you."
After hanging up, Joanna was really busy the whole time, so she didn't know the specific details of how the case went.
All she knew was that after it ended, Nicole showed up with people blocking the hospital entrance.
Some colleagues passing by were afraid of getting involved, while others curiously took out their phones to record.
Joanna knew she couldn't avoid it, so she walked straight toward them: "Nicole, this is a hospital. If you need medical care, you can make an appointment through the proper channels."
Nicole glanced at her, "Let's talk in the car!"
She cared about her reputation. The only reason she came to block Joanna in person was because Joanna had blocked her number and there was no way to contact her.
"Joanna, I really can't understand why you had to make things so ugly! You actually dared to take me to court. Don't forget, Chris hasn't completely divorced you yet. I can make sure you leave with nothing!"
She'd been receiving court summons every few days, and Nicole was so angry she hired several lawyers to represent her in court.
And just now, the case ended. She was ordered to pay a three million dollar fine, cover all of Sandra's future medical expenses, and publicly apologize and clarify things to Joanna.
To Nicole, this was absolutely humiliating and embarrassing!
Joanna looked at her, "The divorce agreement has already been signed. Our going to the marriage registry to process the divorce is part of the normal procedure. Regarding dissatisfaction with the property division, your opinion doesn't represent Chris's."
"I'm his mother! If I say no, it means no. He can back out at any time!" Nicole said coldly.
Joanna smiled. In the past, she might have been scared of this threat, but now Cynthia had given her leverage.
"Nicole can make Chris change his mind during the cooling-off period. Worst case, we just keep dragging out the divorce. I can keep going with you, but will Cynthia and her parents agree? Can she still have a wedding ceremony when her pregnancy is further along? Unless Nicole wants Cynthia's child to be illegitimate, then go ahead and have Chris drag out the divorce."
Nicole bit her lip, unable to argue back.
Because what Joanna said was true. Not only couldn't Cynthia's belly wait, but Cynthia's parents wouldn't want their daughter to have Chris's child without any official status.
This was exactly why Nicole was pushing Chris to divorce.
"What exactly do you want? How much money will it take to settle this? I won't apologize or clarify anything. If you're smart, you could get more money."
Joanna looked at Nicole's dissatisfied and resentful eyes and said seriously: "I don't need money. I just want an apology!"
Nicole looked at her deeply and sneered: "Then there's nothing to discuss. Joanna, I'll be waiting for the day you regret this!"
With that, she left with her people.
Joanna pressed her lips together and looked down to see a message from Peter about the verdict results.
The compensation and clarification were indeed the results Joanna had hoped for. She transferred money to Peter and replied: [Thank you, you worked hard!]
Joanna wasn't worried about the public apology and compensation.
Because the verdict was already out. If Nicole didn't apologize, the court would order enforcement.
And the compensation would be paid in full to the nursing home as funds for Sandra's ongoing treatment.
Nicole went home and smashed quite a few things in anger, then called Chris to come home.
Cynthia tried to comfort her: "Don't be angry. Miss Jones really doesn't care about anything now. Even when Chris kindly went to visit Sandra a few days ago, he got hit."
Nicole's eyes widened in anger: "She dared to hit Chris? This is outrageous! Does Jones Corp not want to do business anymore? Where's Henry? Tell him to come apologize!"
When Chris came home, he heard this and looked at Cynthia coldly, unhappy that she had mentioned even this.
"Mom, the company has been really busy lately! If there's nothing important, please don't interrupt my work."
Nicole's eyes turned red with anger: "Your mom has been bullied by Joanna, and that doesn't count as important? Chris, how long are you going to keep indulging this woman! Not only did you give her property in the divorce, but she took your mother to court, forcing me to pay compensation and apologize, and you're not going to do anything about it?"
Chris really didn't know what had been happening recently. He only knew his mother had never liked Joanna.
"What did you do to her? Joanna is in such a hurry to divorce now, she wouldn't make things difficult for you without a reason."
In the past, Chris would unconditionally take Nicole's side. After all, Nicole was an elder, and no matter what, Joanna shouldn't argue with an elder.
But now, Chris couldn't be sure Nicole hadn't done something.
Nicole suddenly felt guilty and pressed her lips together without speaking.
Chris looked at Cynthia, his gaze dangerous: "You tell me, what has my mom been doing lately? Or if neither of you wants to talk, I can ask the servants at home."
Cynthia took two steps back and said sadly with her head down: "Chris, don't be angry. Mrs. Cooper felt it was too much for Miss Jones to take so much of your property. You work hard on business deals while she just stays home drinking tea and tending flowers. That money shouldn't go to her. Mrs. Cooper just felt you were being wronged, so she went to have a chat with Sandra."
Chris froze, asking in disbelief: "So when Sandra was critically ill and had surgery that day, it was because my mom went to see her?"
No wonder Joanna took things to court.
No wonder she hit him and had such a bad attitude, unwilling to talk nicely anymore.
Nicole said awkwardly: "I just asked her to talk some sense into Joanna. I didn't say anything too harsh. It's her mom's fault for having such a weak body. Chris, are you going to help outsiders bully me too?"
Chris closed his eyes, feeling mocking and ridiculous inside.
He had always thought the conflict between him and Joanna was only about feelings and money.
He never expected that without his knowledge, Cynthia and Nicole would do so many things to hurt Joanna.
Was their separation also caused by the people around them?
Chris didn't dare think deeper. He just felt like he couldn't breathe. After calming down, he opened his eyes and said: "Since it went to court, then do whatever the court decides. Joanna won't compromise because of me. Even if I go talk to her, the result will be the same."
Nicole was stunned, "Chris, you mean you want me to apologize to her? I'm an elder, she's just an outsider, why should I! Doesn't Cooper Corporation control the Jones's company? Go pressure their business and make Henry force Joanna to apologize!"