Susan initially wanted to scold Joanna, but upon seeing her dejected expression, her heart softened. She couldn’t bear to say anything harsh to her, and said instead, "I know that Ace nearly died in your hands again. I don’t know what he’s done to make you do this to him repeatedly, but you were once my daughter-in-law. Do the favor and stay far away from Ace for his sake. Don’t you see accidents always happen when you both get close to each other? The both of you might love each other truly, but you’re not suitable for each other." Susan sincerely liked and admired Joanna, but unfortunately, she was not fated to be with her son.
Susan felt that she had to break them up for the sake of Ace’s health.
Joanna nodded calmly. "Don’t worry, you don’t have to remind . I know that I should stay far away from Ace but sotis I need to co to him for urgent matters. It’s alright, I’ll give you my word now that I’ll never see him again unless I’m forced to."
"R-Really?" Susan’s eyes widened, and she felt moved by Joanna’s promise. What a considerate and nice woman! If the fortune-teller hadn’t told Susan that Joanna and Ace couldn’t be together, Susan would never let Joanna go.
"I won’t break my word." Joanna sounded firm and calm as she spoke, then added, "But I can’t be the only one doing this. You’d better remind your son to not ddle in my affairs. If he cos to and ends up in danger, you can’t bla for it."
"Don’t worry, I’ll advise my son. After he recovers, he’ll marry Seraphina, and I hope that he can forget about you by then,"
Susan said somberly. Seraphina and Ace were childhood sweethearts, and their families knew each other well.
Susan believed that only an arranged marriage with no feelings tied to it could last, but... she wondered why she always felt a little disappointed about it.
"I’ll take my leave now if you’re done." Joanna nodded at Susan as she held her bag and walked towards the elevator. She did not feel much about Ace and Seraphina’s impending marriage; the charming childhood sweethearts should have gotten married ages ago. Joanna felt that her previous marriage with Ace was an accident and a joke, and she needed to forget about it.
"Wait," Susan called after Joanna softly.
"Is there anything else?" Confused, Joanna turned around and looked at Susan.
Susan pulled Joanna to a secluded corner of the stairs, then whispered, "Let’s talk alone."
Seraphina quietly clenched her fists as she watched them leave, overwheld by jealousy. Unexpectedly, Joanna was capable enough to win both Ace and Susan over.
Susan knew that Joanna had strangled her beloved son and got him into the hospital, but she still treated Joanna with respect.
How it infuriated Seraphina!
anwhile, Susan led Joanna to an isolated corner
"I know I shouldn’t beg you for this, but you’re a good person, so I think I can discuss it with you."
Joanna was curious now. "Please go on."
"It’s about Adie and Abby’s custody—" Susan started, but was imdiately interrupted by Joanna.
"No, I’ll never give up custody of them," Joanna said firmly.
Although Susan had anticipated this, she still felt very aggrieved. "Normally, I wouldn’t give up custody of either of them because they’re Morans at the end of the day..."
Joanna shook her head and argued, "You’re wrong. Biologically, only won’s genes are passed down, which ans Adie and Abby are Pierces and don’t have much to do with the Moran family."
Susan frowned petulantly and complained, "Stop being so stubborn. If this becos a court case, the judge will surely give the Moran family one of the kids."
"Fine, go ahead. I have the most outstanding civil attorney who has never lost custody cases like this before. Try it if you don’t believe . The Murphy family won’t be quiet about it too if word gets out," Joanna added calmly, pointing out that Susan had more to lose.
"The Murphy family isn’t important." Susan waved her hand dismissively and added, "I’ve been thinking about it, and if you’re willing to give up custody of the kids, even if it’s one of them, I’ll make Ace cancel his engagent with Seraphina and guarantee that he’ll never get married again. He’ll focus entirely on raising the child." After all, he didn’t care about other won, so it would be aningless to ask him to get married. He might as well raise his child which would give him sothing to focus on and make his life easier too.
"I’m sorry but I really can’t do that..." Taking a deep breath,
Joanna continued, "Do I love my son any less than you love yours? I love Adie and Abby to the moon and back, and I raised them with a lot of love and care. They’re twins and can’t leave each other; you’ll be hurting them if you separate them. Have you ever considered their feelings?"
"I... I..." Susan’s stubborn front imdiately crumbled, and she felt humiliated. Joanna’s logic made it difficult for
Susan to argue, and the elder woman finally admitted sadly, "I know I’m being selfish, but I love and miss them very much. I... I guess I didn’t think this through."
Joanna sighed when she saw how crestfallen Susan looked, and her heart softened. "If you love and miss them, you all can pay them a visit once a month. Is that acceptable?"
"Really?" Susan’s grief turned to joy, and she couldn’t believe that Joanna was being so generous. "Are you really willing to let visit them? Can I take them back to the Moran manor to stay the night there?" After Ace had gotten injured, his recovery had taken six months, and the Morans had never t Adie and Abby during that ti. Not only had Joanna prohibited it, but Quinton’s n always escorted the children and no one could approach them. Besides that, Ace couldn’t be stimulated with past mories while he was recovering, so they also purposely stopped ntioning the children. However, things were much better now, so it would be best if the Morans and Pierces could get along and raise the children together.
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