Chapter 389

In a new city, Teresa felt it was best to remain vigilant. There was no need to invite trouble. The restroom was at the end of the hallway, on the right. As she rounded the corner, Teresa accidentally bumped into a man. She looked up, about to apologize, only to meet his sharp, brooding gaze.

Her heart skipped a beat. She secretly pinched her arm. It wasn't a dream.

“What a coincidence. You’re in Strice too?” said Teresa.

Jonathan didn’t say a word. He just walked past her, calm and silent, as if she didn’t exist. Teresa stood there, a little confused. The scent of alcohol still lingered in the air. Worried he might get into trouble, she hurried after him.

The Live Bar was packed. Teresa scanned the crowd for a long time before finally spotting Jonathan. If it weren’t for his suit jacket draped over the armrest, she would have doubted that the man surrounded by a dozen women was really him.

Just as Teresa was about to approach, she stopped in her tracks. She was just his ex-wife now. Whether her ex-husband wanted to be with ten or twenty women was none of her concern. She looked away from the booth.

“Hey there. What took you so long? I was about to rescue you from the restroom.” The fat, sleazy guy who’d harassed her earlier was now sitting in her seat, grinning wickedly as he played with her glass.

Teresa kept her cool. “That’s my seat. Please move.”

“Then have a drink with me,” he said, and before Teresa could react, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap. “Come on. Don’t be so uptight. Drop the act.”

Teresa couldn’t stand it anymore. She grabbed her glass and threw the still-hot coffee right in his face.

The man wiped his face, scowling. “You really want to do this the hard way? Do you even know who I am?”

A bar staff member hurried over, asking if there was a problem and offering to help. The man shoved the staff member aside impatiently, grabbed Teresa’s wrist, and yanked her toward him. “You got my shirt dirty. Lick it clean.”

“Get off me. Let go,” snapped Teresa.

As Teresa struggled, unable to break free from his grip, Jonathan, who’d been watching her all along, finally couldn’t stand it anymore. He grabbed the guy by the collar and punched him, sending him flying. Glass crashed to the floor, shards scattering everywhere, and the man’s flabby body shook as he hit the ground. Jonathan kicked him while he was down. The furious man staggered to his feet, ready to fight, but the bar manager quickly stepped in.

“Marco, open your eyes. I’m Duncan Osborne, a VIP here. You’re really going to block me after I got hit?” snapped Duncan.

“Mr. Osborne, I think you are intoxicated. You should head home and get some rest,” said Marco Sloan. “Security, see him out.”

Two security guards dragged Duncan away. “Let go of me! I’m the victim here. He hit me! Let me go!” shouted Duncan.

Marco hurried over to Jonathan, instantly respectful. “Mr. Lynn, I’m so sorry for the trouble.”

Jonathan handed over a black card. “I’ll cover the bill. Thanks for your help, but they’re not my type. I appreciate it.” Jonathan then put his arm around Teresa and led her out of the bar.

Marco finally understood. So this was Jonathan’s type. There was no way those women could ever compete.

At the entrance, Teresa thanked Jonathan. He had helped her again. Jonathan’s face was unreadable. “Want me to call your new boyfriend for you?”

“What?” Teresa raised an eyebrow. Is he drunk and just talking nonsense? she thought. “You’ve got someone new again, huh? Last time at Everport, maybe I was wrong, but am I wrong this time? The photos were sent straight to my office. You two looked so close and happy.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said Teresa.

Teresa held back her feelings. “Thanks for helping me tonight. I’m heading out. You should get some rest, too.” She turned and walked away.

“Why is it you get to move on, but I can’t? What did I ever do to deserve this, Teresa?” said Jonathan.

Words failed Teresa. Teresa had already walked a few steps when she suddenly stopped. She heard Jonathan behind her, his voice low and rough, “Everyone keeps asking me what it is about you. We’ve been apart for years, but I still want to get you back. All I can say is… love.”

His last, hoarse word was drowned out by the blaring of a car horn. Teresa didn’t quite catch it.

She turned and saw Jonathan’s hand resting on the Cullinan’s window, his head lowered. He seemed to be deep in thought. Catching her still there out of the corner of his eye, Jonathan gave a wry, self-mocking smile. “I drank too much. I can’t drive. Mind giving me a ride?”

The driver, who’d been watching the whole time, gave a few quick honks. “Mr. Lynn, I’m here to drive. Don’t worry.”

Jonathan frowned and shot the driver a look through the window. “You’re off duty. Go home.”

The driver hurried out of the car. “Why should I leave? I’m supposed to make sure you get to the villa safe and sound.”

Teresa said, “You have a driver, so I don’t need to worry. My cab’s here. I’m heading back to the hotel. See you.” With that, Teresa turned and left.

The driver opened the car door for Jonathan. Jonathan’s eyes, dark and cold, swept over the driver. “Don’t you have a wife and kids waiting for you at home?”

“Mr. Lynn, I don’t have a wife or kids. I’m single, just like you,” said the driver.

Jonathan said, “You trying to get yourself fired?”

“Huh?” The driver scratched his head, looking lost. He was new. He wondered if he had said something wrong.

Teresa had already returned to her hotel. She was staying at the Regal Crown Hotel in Unavale. It was close to her business meetings, so she’d settled in there. After taking a shower, she wondered if Jonathan had made it back yet. But with his driver taking him home, there was nothing for her to worry about.

Chapter 389

Gazing out at the city lights, she called Michael first and then dialed Isabel. As soon as Isabel answered, she started crying. “Teresa, are you going to leave me too?”

Teresa suddenly felt a sharp pang in her heart.

Isabel sniffled, “Daddy doesn’t want me. Mommy isn’t coming back, and I thought maybe you didn’t want me either.”

Teresa was quiet for a few seconds, her voice softening in a way it rarely did. “I’m sorry. I’m just on a business trip, but I’ll be home really soon.”

“Don’t lie to me. Teresa, you are my favorite,” said Isabel.

Teresa was stunned at the words. Isabel stammered in her little-kid voice, “Mommy said Jennifer and you are both my sisters. I told her I like you best, so she sent me to you. Mommy says we’re family.”

That last word sent a ripple through Teresa’s heart. Family.

After a few more words of comfort, Teresa heard Sanford take the phone. “I was just about to ask you something. Did you send those photos to Horizonlead Group?” asked Teresa.