Chapter 422

Donald paused for a couple of seconds. “Jonathan, we grew up together—we’re basically brothers. How could I ever lie to you?”

Jonathan smirked and tapped his cup against Donald’s. “We are brothers. No need for the ‘basically’ part.”

“My language skills are nowhere near yours, Mr. Genius. If you’re not busy tonight, let me treat you to dinner.”

“No need. I’ve already eaten,” Jonathan replied.

Donald didn’t stick around any longer.

After Donald left, Jonathan sat alone in his villa for a long time. He stared at Teresa’s name on the medical report, his eyes growing deep. He was lost in thought when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing Teresa’s name on the screen, he raised an eyebrow and answered slowly.

“It’s me. Do you have a minute? I want to see you—just the two of us,” Teresa said.

Jonathan paused for a moment and replied, “Come find me at Forlisle Rose Estates.”

Teresa sat across from Jonathan. She spotted the medical report on the table—it had her name on it. Jonathan said, “Jennifer did the checkup, and Donald brought over the report. Since you’re not pregnant, I’ll keep my promise. I’ll leave Nareigh and won’t bother you anymore.”

Teresa looked down, avoiding Jonathan’s gaze. Her hands clenched tightly on her knees. “I’m here to apologize.”

Jonathan frowned, staring at her. “What is it this time?”

Teresa said, “Why didn’t you tell me you gave my mom $2.6 million? She never said a word until the money was gone.”

Jonathan pressed his lips into a thin line, silent.

Teresa’s face turned serious. “I’m not here to blame you for giving her the money. Either way, I’ll pay you back.”

Jonathan noticed the tears welling up in her eyes and fought the urge to pull her close. “Forget it. You don’t need to pay me back. I’m not hard up for cash.”

“That’s not right. Whether it was starting the company or when I stayed at Everport, you’ve helped me so much. I already owe you a lot. I have to pay you back the $2.6 million.”

Jonathan shot back, “And where are you going to get the money? Didn’t you give it all to Sanford?”

Teresa finally explained the misunderstanding. Her company had cash flow issues, and she’d planned to get a bank loan. But Sanford offered her money at a lower interest rate than the bank, so she agreed.

“Never heard of ‘penny wise, pound foolish’? You’re being naive,” Jonathan said, a sharp edge to his voice.

Teresa explained, “He offered to lend me the money. It’s not like he’d just run off.”

Jonathan let out a slow breath. “My $2.6 million, his $600,000… How long do you think it’ll take you to pay back?”

Teresa gritted her teeth. “I’ll pay you back within three years. I promise.”

Jonathan saw the stubbornness in her eyes and looked away, rubbing his forehead. “How about I lend you $600,000? Pay Sanford back now, before he decides to jack up the interest and you’re stuck.”

“No, I can’t take your money.”

“I’m lending it to you. Better to owe one person than two, right?”

Teresa finally understood what Jonathan meant—if she paid Sanford back, she’d only owe Jonathan. “Okay, let’s do it your way.”

Teresa took the $600,000 from Jonathan and immediately transferred it to Sanford, clearing her debt with him in one go.

Jonathan looked at her intently. “From now on, you only owe me. If you ever run into trouble, come to me first—I don’t like seeing you owe anyone else.”

Teresa was quiet for a few seconds. “I’ll write you an IOU. Come by my office tomorrow and we’ll talk it over, okay?”

“Okay,” Jonathan replied.

Having said her piece, Teresa turned to leave.

Jonathan asked, “Have you eaten? I haven’t yet.”

“I already have. I’ll head back now,” Teresa said. She had driven here, so she could easily drive herself home.

The next day, Jonathan visited Teresouth Group to see Teresa. She came down to meet him personally, drawing the attention of all the employees. As soon as they stepped into the elevator, the receptionists began whispering.

“What’s going on between Ms. Johnston and Mr. Lynn?”

“Do you guys remember that time Ms. Johnston went on a business trip to Everport and didn’t come back that night? I heard when Linda called her, it was Mr. Lynn who answered the phone.”

“Could they be secretly dating?”

Teresa led Jonathan into her office and gestured for him to sit. “I had our company lawyer draft a mortgage contract. Take a look,” she said, handing it over.

Jonathan’s brows knit together as he took the contract, and then his frown deepened. “What’s this? You’re putting Teresouth Group up as collateral?”

“I’ve thought it through. If I can’t pay you back within three years, then Teresouth Group will go to your company to settle the debt,” Teresa replied.

Jonathan quickly did the math for her—paying back $3.2 million in three years meant over a million a year. With Teresouth Group’s current annual revenue, Teresa would have to embezzle company funds to pull it off.

“Don’t underestimate me. If I tighten my belt and cut out unnecessary expenses, I can pay you back in three years. Worst case, I’ll just sell a few more bags, or even my car and house,” Teresa insisted.

Jonathan took a sip of coffee. “I’ll pretend you’re joking. I’m not such a jerk that I’d make my ex-wife sell her car and house and end up homeless,” he said.

Teresa shrugged. “A debt’s a debt.”

Jonathan’s gaze grew deep. “We were married, Teresa. You don’t have to keep such strict accounts between us.”

But the truth was, it was Evelyn who squandered all that money, and Teresa just couldn’t turn a blind eye.

Jonathan set down his cup. “If you work with me, I’ll help you make that $3.2 million back in a year,” he offered.

Teresa cleared her throat. “You wanna keep me on a leash? Nah, forget it.”

Jonathan leaned back in his chair. “I really do care about you, but you won’t remarry me. Now you think I want to keep you as my mistress?”

“Then what are you getting at?”

“There’s a business association in Shaville. If you’re interested, I can take you. There’ll be plenty of local and international investors—great for expanding your client base,” Jonathan said.

On her own, Teresa didn’t have the net worth to get into such a high-profile association. But with Jonathan by her side, she’d have no trouble getting in at all.

Teresa sighed helplessly. “How many favors am I going to end up owing you?”

“It’s just the rich helping out the not-so-rich—gotta work toward common prosperity, right?”

That made Teresa laugh.

Jonathan noticed Teresa seemed less stressed than yesterday and felt relieved. “I should get going. I’ve got stuff to take care of at the office,” he said, leaving the collateral contract on her desk.

Teresa offered to walk him out, and he didn’t turn her down. She watched Jonathan get in his car and drive away. Only then did she return to her office. Glancing at the calendar, she noticed Michael’s birthday was approaching. Once again, she felt lost—how could she ask Jonathan to spend the day with their son?