Chapter 106 He Is Showing Goodwill
After Joanna left the police station, she went straight to the nursing home.
Although Sandra's surgery had gone fairly well, post-operative care was also very important. While the caregiver could help with most things, Joanna wouldn't feel at ease unless she was there in person to watch Sandra wake up.
When she arrived at the hospital, Sandra had just woken up not long ago.
She had Joanna sit by the bed and held her hand with tears streaming down: "Joanna, I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have let Chad go to the company and cause you trouble. How did he become just like your father? Have I been absent from his life for too long?"
Joanna pressed her lips together, feeling heavy-hearted too: "I've had the same doubts, but Mom, with our current abilities, we can only take care of ourselves and not get involved in their lives. Maybe someday he'll come to his senses, but trying to stop him now only gets us misunderstanding and abuse. I'm tired."
She had helped Henry many times and solved problems for Chad before. Each time after helping, she would try to talk sense into them.
But the reality was, these two people saw her less and less as family.
Instead, they were full of resentment and suspicion, even thinking she was weak and easy to bully, scheming about what benefits they could get from her.
Joanna no longer expected any family affection from these two. She lowered her eyes in disappointment, not wanting to show her hurt.
And Sandra understood her best.
Because before Joanna grew up and became capable, it was Sandra herself who had played that role.
"Okay, let's not talk about them anymore, let's not." Sandra raised her hand to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.
After they both adjusted their moods, Joanna kept Sandra company during dinner, then sat in the simple office area to design her charity project.
She owed Angelo such a huge favor, and the pressure was really getting to her.
On the way back to the nursing home, Joanna had already thought it through - this charity project had to win an award. When it was used for charity, she could bring Smith Group's bid along with it.
She might not be able to pay back all the money Angelo lent her, but she would try her best to help Angelo make money.
Their peace was soon interrupted by a phone call.
Joanna glanced at her phone - it wasn't hers ringing, but Sandra's.
Sandra was somewhat surprised: "It's Chris. Didn't you two get divorced?"
Joanna frowned and reached out her hand: "Mom, give me the phone. Don't listen to his ridiculous talk."
Sandra didn't refuse and handed her the phone.
The ringtone kept going, so Joanna just answered it.
"I'm outside the gate. Tell the nursing home security to let me in."
Ever since being kicked out last time, Chris had been added to the security office's no-entry list. As soon as they saw him, the guards stopped him.
Chris could only call Sandra, claiming he was there to visit.
Joanna frowned and asked: "I remember saying before that your family isn't welcome here. My mom needs rest and quiet."
"Joanna?" Chris was a bit surprised, but didn't dwell on it, just saying: "You'll regret turning me away today. I can help with Jones Corp's current difficulties. And as Jones Corp's biggest investor, don't you think you owe me an explanation for such serious funding and project problems?"
Joanna fell silent for a moment. She had to admit that although Chris was now divorced from her, his past investments in Jones Corp couldn't be erased, and Cooper Corporation was indeed Jones Corp's largest investor.
Joanna couldn't unilaterally destroy their past business relationship and face astronomical compensation.
She could only tell the security: "Let him in."
Before long, Chris arrived at the hospital room, looking rather upset.
Seeing Joanna, he spoke mockingly: "Seems like you really want to keep things strictly business with me, Joanna. Should I be glad that I'm no longer useful to you, so you don't set your sights on me anymore?"
In the past, when Joanna clung to Chris, she often caused him trouble.
But now, after this intimate dependence disappeared, he felt both loss and relief - his feelings were always complicated.
Until he discovered that after leaving him, Joanna chose to get very close to Angelo.
Then he mostly felt angry.
Joanna was too materialistic - she left him because she found a better option.
"I thought I made it very clear last time outside the auction venue, Chris. In the past, I loved you, so I was willing to give and put up with your temper. But now, I have no obligation to tolerate your rudeness. If you don't want to discuss business properly, then go back to the Coopers!" Joanna calmly retorted.
Sandra, lying in bed, wanted to ease the atmosphere and asked them both to sit down and talk.
"Joanna, don't be stubborn. First listen to what he has to say. Maybe Chris is trying to help us out of goodwill?"
Chris was a bit angry at Joanna's words, but the next moment Sandra's words helped him save some face.
He raised his chin proudly, looking down his nose at Joanna, and pulled out a check: "Jones Corp's funding dried up, right? You can use this money for emergencies. Consider it compensation for the past period. Joanna, don't say I don't value old ties. Even retired employees who face difficulties get care and concern from the company."
What Chris wanted from beginning to end was just for Joanna to give in.
He didn't really want to make things difficult for Joanna, but perhaps his methods were wrong, pushing Joanna further and further away.
After leaving the marriage registration office for the last time as husband and wife, Chris had actually thought seriously about this relationship. By comparing Cynthia and Joanna, he understood that he had really wronged Joanna in the past.
When he learned Jones Corp was in trouble, he immediately prepared this money and came here without telling Cynthia and Nicole.
He hoped to get Joanna's gratitude and regain control in their relationship.
Joanna looked at the check in silence for a full minute.
If Chris had appeared a bit earlier, she might not have been able to refuse this check.
But unfortunately, she had already accepted Angelo's help. This money was useless to her now.
An expired check can't withdraw any cash, and neither can feelings.
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Cooper, but Jones Corp doesn't need this money anymore. As for past investments, although I can't pay you back right now, once we're profitable, I'll regularly calculate dividends for Cooper Corporation according to the previous contract."
The confident smile on Chris's face froze. He wanted to lose his temper, but he clearly knew that would only make Joanna more rebellious.
He pressed his lips together and asked: "You don't need it, but don't your mom and dad need it? Joanna, as long as you're willing to say something nice, I can help your dad and brother solve this trouble and get them out of jail. Do you really not need it?"