Chapter 317

From Teresa's angle, she couldn't see Michael's face. She only saw Jonathan holding him, locking eyes with her. Just as Teresa was about to step forward, Sherry hurried over to take Michael from Jonathan. But Michael clung tightly to Jonathan, refusing to let go.

Jonathan told Sherry he'd calm Michael down first, then walked to the side, gently pacing as he patted Michael's shoulder. In less than a minute, Michael was fast asleep on Jonathan's shoulder. With a blank expression, Jonathan walked past Teresa and carefully handed Michael to Sherry, moving as gently as possible so he wouldn't wake him.

Sherry took Michael and apologized, "Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Lynn. Michael must have been a handful. And thank you for signing his shirt. He was so happy," she added smoothly. But Jonathan's eyes were fixed on Teresa.

Sherry was about to leave when Benny's car pulled up, blocking her way. Benny hopped out, feigning cluelessness. "Hey, Jonathan! What are you doing here? Wow, you and Teresa running into each other. Talk about fate!"

Teresa gave Benny a hard kick and said, disappointed, "That's it, Benny. We're done. From now on, we're not even classmates, let alone friends."

"Come on, I really didn't tip Jonathan off. He wouldn't let it go until I told him where you were, right, Jonathan?" Benny shot Jonathan a look. But Jonathan didn't even glance at him, just kept staring at Teresa. Seeing the resistance in her eyes, he finally said, "I'm not here for you. I'm here to welcome Benny. Otherwise, why would I bother?"

Teresa simply said, "Oh. I wasn't planning to talk to you either. Go ahead and welcome Benny. My friend and I are heading back."

Benny frowned, thinking, 'What happened between these two? Why are they acting like this?' He stepped in, trying to play peacemaker. "How about I treat you both to dinner?"

Sherry quickly said, "Uh, I'll just take Michael home. We don't want to get in the way."

But Benny wouldn't let Sherry leave. "Come on, stay. Sherry, you know all the good spots in Everport. Give us some recommendations. My treat." Sherry glanced at Teresa, asking with her eyes what to do.

Teresa stayed calm. "No thanks, my friend has things to do, and I'm busy too." She put her arm around Sherry. "Let's go."

"We're leaving too," Jonathan said to Benny. Benny didn't know what to say. Teresa had already helped Sherry into the car and told her to drive. The more tense things got, the calmer she acted. She was used to this.

Benny still wouldn't give up. He blocked Teresa at the passenger door. "Hey, don't be like that. You're already here, just stay for a meal."

Teresa shot back, "Didn't Jonathan invite you? You two go eat. I don't know either of you."

Benny sighed. "Look, I really didn't mean to tip him off. At least give me your number, okay? I'll call you next time and treat you myself." Teresa didn't want to give Benny her current number, but if she didn't, he probably wouldn't let her leave. She had no choice but to give it to him.

Benny still lingered, giving Sherry a meaningful look, then glancing at Michael, who was asleep in the backseat. "Wow, the kid's dressed pretty sharp. Honestly, his outfit costs more than mine."

Sherry panicked a little. She couldn't possibly afford designer clothes for Michael and instinctively looked at Teresa. Teresa noticed Sherry's glance, and she was sure Benny had picked up on it too. Actually, she'd bought those clothes for Michael back when she was in Ferlandia, and they just happened to put them on him today.

She spoke up, "I bought those for him. Is that a problem?"

Benny had already guessed the kid's clothes were out of Sherry's league. Since Teresa said she bought them, he let it go. "Alright, just asking. I'll call you later."

Teresa drove off. Jonathan pulled up right in front of Benny and asked, "You coming or not? If not, I'm out."

Benny hopped into Jonathan's car. He'd already called his assistant to deal with his own ride. Only then did he grumble, "Man, I went through all that trouble to keep Teresa, and you just let her go. We could have had a nice dinner together."

Jonathan's face darkened. "Did you see the way she looked at me? Like she couldn't stand me. I shouldn't have even come."

Benny said, "What's really going on with you two? Wait, I get it now. You knew Teresa was here all along, didn't you? She must have told you not to tell anyone she was in Everport, right?"

Jonathan didn't deny it. He really hadn't told anyone Teresa was in Everport. If Benny hadn't called today saying he'd seen her, Jonathan wouldn't have said a word. "She's seeing someone else here."

Benny shot him a look. "For real? Don't mess with me."

"Yeah."

Benny frowned. If Teresa found a boyfriend here, that would explain why she refused to go back to Nareigh. She'd got a guy now, so of course, she didn't want to leave, and she'd even stopped talking to her friends.

As for Michael, Benny didn't doubt anything. Because Sherry was with him, it wasn't surprising that Teresa would buy him those designer clothes. It all seemed to add up, but there was one thing Benny just couldn't figure out. Every time he saw Michael, he couldn't help but think he looked a lot like Jonathan. Even today, the resemblance was uncanny. Their personalities were nothing alike, but their faces were. Benny thought he was just imagining things.

Benny snapped back to reality. "So why are you still hanging around Everport? If Teresa's already got someone, just head back to Nareigh."

Jonathan kept his head down, flipping through some files. "I'll go back once I finish up with the branch office." He knew Benny didn't believe him.

Benny asked, "So, what's her new boyfriend like? Got a picture? Let me see if he's actually better looking than you."

Jonathan replied coolly, "Didn't get a good look. Only met him once. He's not tall, drives a BMW X3."

Benny let out a noise of disbelief. "Come on, any car in your garage could blow his away. What does Teresa see in a guy like that? Why's she staying here?"