Chapter 98 Her Softness
Joanna made a special trip to the nursing home to accompany Sandra through all the medical examinations.
As she helped Sandra back to the ward, she inevitably brought up Henry's situation.
"Joanna, did you really send your dad to prison? Chad has been calling me crying these past few days. He thinks you've changed and that you won't take care of him anymore." Sandra's face showed worry. "I know your father did wrong, but Chad is still young and can't support himself yet. Could you maybe let him work on some company projects so he can earn some living expenses?"
Though Joanna didn't want to deal with Chad, she agreed for Sandra's sake.
"I understand. I'll have Lyle contact Chad, but once he's at the company, he'll just be a regular employee. No special treatment."
Sandra agreed.
She understood Joanna's approach and would support it, but as a mother, she worried about Chad. Unable to help him herself, she could only rely on Joanna for now.
"By the way, if anyone asks about your father, just say it was me who did it. Joanna, things are already hard enough for you. I don't want you to get a reputation for being unfilial." Sandra raised her hand to wipe away tears, looking at Joanna with nothing but heartache.
After thinking it over, Joanna refused: "Mom, I'm not afraid. Don't worry about me. Just relax and see how you respond to the new medication. Dr. Bruce will perform surgery based on how the medication works. If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you must speak up right away, okay?"
Sandra sighed, knowing Joanna didn't want to discuss Henry anymore, so she dropped it.
"Alright, I'll do whatever you arrange."
Joanna wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but from behind, Sandra's back seemed hunched.
For the first time, she realized that Sandra had aged, with gray hair on both sides.
Joanna suddenly felt guilty. Had all the things she'd done recently disappointed and saddened Sandra?
But she didn't think she'd done anything wrong.
So the walk back to the ward was very quiet.
Neither of them spoke until Dr. Bruce came in to discuss the medication schedule.
"The new medication is taken once every three days. We'll need blood tests after meals to monitor her. I've scheduled Sandra's first surgery for two weeks from now. If there are adverse reactions, we'll need to do the dialysis surgery earlier."
Listening to the plan, Joanna frowned and asked: "In this situation, should I stay at the hospital to watch over her in case something special happens?"
Dr. Bruce nodded: "If Miss Jones can manage it, that would certainly be needed. If not, you can also ask the nurses to take care of her and notify you immediately if anything comes up."
Joanna carefully thought through her schedule. She could work on her charity design project at the hospital since the deadline was still far off, giving her plenty of time to refine it.
As for other matters, she could ask others for help, and she could just take a long leave from the hospital.
Soon, Joanna expressed her intention: "I'll come every week, only returning to the hospital for work two days."
Dr. Bruce was naturally pleased with this arrangement. After discussing Sandra's condition with Joanna some more, he left to attend to other matters.
Sandra was somewhat reluctant: "I can take care of myself now. You don't need to stay. Work is important. Don't lose the job you traded your divorce for because of me."
Joanna comforted Sandra: "I'm just taking leave. If there's an emergency at the hospital, I'll still rush back. Work is important, but being with family is also important. Mom, you're all I have."
She didn't hope for Henry's affection or expect Chad's support.
Only Sandra was the family member she truly couldn't let go of.
After hearing this, Sandra fell silent.
She felt bad about becoming a burden to Joanna, but was helpless about her body's condition.
After much thought, she could only try her best to cooperate with the hospital and recover as soon as possible.
When Joanna returned to the hospital to request leave, she also called Chad.
Chad was in his internship period, but relying on family money, he simply didn't go to work.
Since Sandra had asked her to help, Joanna wouldn't just ignore her brother.
She called Chad to the company.
"Lyle, when Chad comes to intern, don't give him special treatment. Just assign him work like a normal employee, and pay him the regular salary for his position."
Chad was unwilling and immediately objected: "No way! This is my family's company, I'll be the boss later! Why should I get a normal salary? Give me a monthly salary of two hundred thousand dollars!"
Joanna's face darkened: "No. If you don't want to, go find work and earn money yourself. From now on, I won't give you a single cent, and Mom has no money either. If you don't want to starve, you'll have to earn your keep through your own work."
Chad got furious and pushed Joanna: "Are you even my sister anymore? Why are you helping outsiders bully me? You believe I'll tell Mom?"
"Go ahead and tell her. Anyway, if you don't want to, then just wait to starve."
After saying this, Joanna left the company.
She knew Chad would definitely give in.
Because Henry hadn't left him much money, and it would soon run out.
And Sandra, hospitalized, couldn't spare money to support Chad.
After arranging Chad's situation, Joanna went to Yvonne's to pick up clothes.
Yvonne was still telling her about Chris's visit last time, describing how the two of them had argued.
Joanna showed no emotion. She took the clothes and left.
She was grateful to Angelo, so on the way she specially bought supplements for Pippa and Mr. Shen.
When she arrived at the Smiths', Angelo wasn't there.
Pippa pulled her inside: "Joanna, you have such great taste! I thought the design looked good before, but I didn't expect it to fit so well when made!"
She had changed into the outfit and kept looking at herself in the mirror.
Joanna smiled and praised: "It's because you have a great figure that brings out the outfit's elegance."
Pippa smiled: "You really know how to talk. I like you. Come visit more often when you're free. If Angelo upsets you in any way, just tell me."
Joanna was startled and quickly explained: "Angelo has been great. He's helped me so much. I still don't know how to thank him."
Hearing this, Pippa actually had some thoughts, but didn't want to say it directly for fear of embarrassing the young woman.
She smiled and said: "He likes golf. Though he doesn't lack for these things, I think he would really treasure anything you give him, Joanna."
Golf?
Joanna quietly made a mental note of this. "I understand, thank you."
"Don't be so formal."
Pippa seemed very satisfied with her, and her attitude this time was very warm. Joanna felt a bit uncomfortable.
She made small talk for quite a while before finding an excuse to leave.