Reborn with Nothing but My Farm and Vengeance in the Apocalypse novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Entanglement

Joanne White had been incredibly annoyed these past few days. Austin Hale had started pestering her again.

Austin Hale had recently found a new job; he’d been hired by Adler Enterprises.

Before the extreme heat, Adler Enterprises had launched a seawater desalination project. It was a high-energy, low-return venture originally intended to supply neighboring island nations and, incidentally, rake in some government subsidies. But then came the apocalyptic heat wave that lasted for over half a year. The nationwide drought and water shortage caused the once-unremarkable Adler Enterprises to skyrocket overnight.

The benefits at Adler Group were decent. Employees received a daily ration of desalinated water, and the salary was quite good.

Austin Hale had found a new hope in life. He felt he had a future again, so he started contacting Joanne White, hoping she would come back to him.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered other women. Ever since he joined Adler Enterprises, Mrs. Hale had even arranged several blind dates for him, but Austin Hale was never satisfied.

In terms of looks, education, and figure, none of the girls he’d met on dates could compare to Joanne White. Besides, he found them all a bit dull, lacking Joanne’s cleverness and charm.

Joanne White was sick and tired of Austin Hale’s harassment. She was over seven months pregnant and already on edge. To make matters worse, Zane Simmons had been cycling through a never-ending stream of girls lately, which gave Joanne a profound sense of insecurity.

Not only did Joanne have to worry about the flock of arm candy around Zane Simmons, but she also had to worry about Melody Summers—a ticking time bomb ready to go off at any moment.

The other day, she had been secretly watching from an upstairs window and noticed that Zane Simmons treated Melody Summers differently. Joanne was terrified that Melody would tell Zane about how she had started rumors and cyberbullied her back in college.

Joanne White’s constant anxiety was taking a toll on her pregnancy; she frequently felt a dragging pain in her abdomen.

She begged Zane Simmons to help find her parents a new house, so Mr. and Mrs. White could move away from their old place and Austin Hale couldn’t bother them anymore.

"Joanne, I got paid 10,000 this month. I’ll send it all to you. After my probationary period ends next month, I’ll get a raise. Don’t worry, I can definitely give you a good life," Austin Hale said earnestly over the phone.

Before the disaster, Joanne White might have considered getting back together with Austin Hale. But it was already October, and the world was still trapped in a global heatwave. What could 10,000 even buy? It wasn’t enough to cover the daily cost of running the air conditioner.

Joanne White had grown accustomed to a life of luxury with Zane Simmons, used to having a maid tend to her every day. She couldn’t go back to pinching pennies and living a hard life with Austin Hale.

Anyway, Mr. and Mrs. White had already moved. Joanne White couldn’t be bothered to waste any more time on Austin Hale; the past few days had exhausted all her patience. She replied coldly, "Austin Hale, we’re really over. Don’t contact me again. Stop wasting your time on me and find a nice, simple girl to settle down with."

With that, Joanne White hung up the phone.

Austin Hale stared at the phone in disbelief. He immediately called back, only to find that Joanne White had blocked him again.

Austin Hale rushed out the door and ran to Mr. and Mrs. White’s house, only to find the place completely empty.

*

Austin Hale had been looking completely dejected for days. Seeing this, his supervisor walked over, patted his shoulder, and asked, "Hale, why so listless?"

Austin Hale forced a smile and replied, "Supervisor Warren, I’m fine. Just haven’t been sleeping well these past few days."

Supervisor Warren nodded, then added with a smile, "Tonight, Mr. Adler is holding a party at the Oceanus Hotel for all the company’s shareholders. You’re tall and handsome—come to the banquet and help represent the company!"

This was basically an order to go drink with clients, but Austin Hale knew it was a chance to impress the higher-ups. His spirits lifted, and he replied, "Yes, Supervisor Warren! I definitely won’t let you down!"

*

Oceanus Hotel.

Joanne White froze. ’It’s Austin Hale!’

Lost in the happy surprise of their reunion, Austin Hale looked down at Joanne White’s pregnant belly. A flicker of confusion crossed his face, followed by sheer ecstasy. "You didn’t get rid of the baby?! That’s wonderful, Joanne! Why did you lie and tell me you’d already aborted it?"

Joanne White struggled out of his embrace, frowning as she hissed, "Enough, Austin Hale! Don’t touch me! I already told you we’re over. Stop pestering me!"

"Joanne, what nonsense are you talking about?" Austin Hale asked, confused. "You’re still pregnant! Are you planning to have this baby and raise it all by yourself? Come home with me. Come home, and let me take care of you and the baby!"

Joanne White took a deep breath and put some distance between them. Her face was cold as she said, "This baby has nothing to do with you. I have a new boyfriend. We are over."

Austin Hale stared at her, utterly stunned, as if struck by lightning. He then muttered, "No, I don’t believe you. Joanne, you’re lying to me, aren’t you...?"

Joanne White said nothing, silently turning her head away.

Austin Hale surged forward and grabbed her again. "Joanne White! How could you do this! I don’t care whose baby you’re carrying, you have to come back to me! I sank my life savings into buying that school district apartment for you! We were about to get married!"

Joanne White threw his hand off and growled, "Don’t be a fool, Austin Hale! The public hospitals are nearly paralyzed. Do you have any idea how much private hospitals are charging now? A single epidural costs more than gold! Do you want me to go back with you just to die on the delivery table?!"

Austin Hale’s eyes turned red when he heard this, but he didn’t know how to refute her. He knew the public hospitals were practically paralyzed, with many people developing complications from pre-existing conditions due to the heat, and that there was a shortage of both medical equipment and staff. Still, he couldn’t accept it. His face darkened as he stared silently at Joanne White, a storm brewing in his eyes.

A chill ran down Joanne White’s spine. She wanted to scream for the bodyguards outside, but Austin Hale was too close. She was afraid they wouldn’t get to her in time.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in Joanne White’s mind. She said to Austin Hale, "Austin Hale, let’s be honest, we were just using each other. I don’t love you. I’m really not worth all this. The only one who ever truly loved you was Melody Summers. I know she’s doing very well for herself now. You should go find her. You can try to win her back!"

Austin Hale froze at her words. "...Melody Summers...?"