Chapter 426
Sanford finished speaking when he spotted Teresa. He froze, then noticed the man Liora clung to. Liora kept her eyes fixed on Jonathan. “You’re Yori—”
Sanford quickly cut her off, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go.”
“But—”
“Come on, let’s head back,” Sanford said, guiding Liora past Jonathan and Teresa. He shot Jonathan a meaningful look but said nothing more.
Once they were gone, Teresa asked Jonathan, “Do you know Sanford’s mother?”
“No,” Jonathan replied, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. “But it seems she knows me.”
“Let’s go,” Jonathan said, and they left together.
After getting in the car, Liora asked Sanford, “Who was that?”
Sanford confessed. “That was Yorick’s son.”
Liora’s face paled. “How do you know? Have you met him before?”
“I… I went to Nareigh a while ago.”
“What?” Liora’s voice rose, clearly upset. “Why can’t you ever listen to me? Why did you go back to Nareigh?”
“I know you don’t want me going back because you’re afraid I’ll look for my real father. But I only went to a friend’s engagement party. I had no idea her younger sister was Yorick’s son’s ex-wife.”
Liora started coughing. “What kind of friend is that? Such a coincidence, huh?”
Sanford quickly produced a bottle of medicine and handed it to her. “She’s my college classmate. She married Yorick’s younger brother’s son.”
When Liora heard “Yorick’s younger brother,” her hand shook, scattering the pills. Sanford bent to pick them up, holding Liora’s hand. He realized how cold her fingers were. “Mom, are you okay?” he asked.
Liora’s lips lost all color. “Don’t get involved with the Lynns anymore. Stay away from them, please.”
“Why is it me causing trouble? Wasn’t it that jerk who abandoned us?”
“Who are you calling a jerk? Yorick? How could you think that? He was never that kind of man.”
“Stop lying to me,” Sanford scoffed. “If he wasn’t, then why do you stare at his photo every day, crying your eyes out?”
“I was just missing him. Yorick is gone.”
“You only miss him that much if you loved him, right? He’s my real father, isn’t he?”
Liora’s face twisted in pain. She pursed her lips, clearly unwilling to continue.
In the car, Teresa suddenly turned to Jonathan. “Don’t you think Sanford kind of looks like someone?”
“Who?” Jonathan asked.
“I just realized he actually looks a bit like Werner.”
Jonathan hadn’t thought much of it before. But now that Teresa mentioned it, he found it uncanny.
Teresa joked, “Why don’t you ask Werner if Sanford is some long-lost son he left behind?”
“You still have energy to joke around?” Jonathan tapped her head lightly. “We’re about to discuss business. Stay close and don’t go off on your own, okay?”
“Got it,” Teresa replied.
Thanks to Jonathan, Teresa closed two big deals that day. Afterward, he told her to return to the villa—he still had a meeting to attend and would be back soon.
“Alright, I won’t get in your way,” Teresa said, leaving on her own.
Once Jonathan finished his work, Irene contacted him. “I heard you’re in Shaville?” she asked.
“Why, am I not allowed to come to Shaville?” Jonathan retorted.
Irene pressed her lips together, Teresa’s silhouette flashing in her mind. She quickly changed the subject. “You know Chase, right? He’s been wanting to meet you—something about an apology. He even sent gifts to me. Why not just meet him for a bit?”
Jonathan frowned. Chase had been trying to contact him and was also in Shaville, hoping to see him. For Irene’s sake, Jonathan called Chase and said, “I’m at the Bund. You have ten minutes.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Chase replied and hurried over. When they met, he offered a sincere apology.
“I’m really sorry about that dinner at Nareigh last time. Sanford was out of line and said some things he shouldn’t have. Let me make it up to you with this drink. I hope you’ll still consider working with me,” Chase said.
Just then, the girl beside him, cheeks flushed, chimed in sweetly, “Mr. Lynn, let me toast you too.”
Chase introduced, “This is my sister, Winnie. She just got back from studying abroad.”
Jonathan nodded politely, dismissing the comment. “Maybe we can discuss the partnership another time,” he said, standing to leave.
Chase and Winnie stood as well. In her haste, Winnie accidentally knocked over a glass of red wine, splashing it onto Jonathan’s shirt. She covered her mouth, quickly pulling out a tissue to wipe it.
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary.” Jonathan stopped her hand. He put some distance between them, headed for his car, and left.
He dropped his clothes off at the dry cleaner, which took some time. When he got back to the villa, he noticed a white Porsche had followed him, and Winnie got out.
“Mr. Lynn.” Winnie ran over. Her eyes were red as she stood before Jonathan, looking pitiful. “I’m really sorry for getting your clothes dirty. I’ll pay for the cleaning?”
“It’s fine. No need,” Jonathan replied.
Winnie bit her lip, adopting a pleading look. “Hope you’ll consider working with my brother. Please?”
Teresa watched from the balcony. She clearly saw the admiration in Winnie’s eyes and the way she acted with Jonathan.
Even though Teresa couldn’t see his expression from her angle—especially since Winnie also drove a Porsche—a heavy weight settled in her chest.
Jonathan wasn’t swayed by Winnie’s act and said nothing more. Winnie left, disappointed.
By the time Jonathan got back to the villa, Teresa had packed her things and walked past him.
He grabbed her wrist, looking confused. “What are you doing?”
“I won’t get in the way of your date anymore. With your ex-wife still here, your girlfriend can’t even come in, can she?” Teresa snapped.
She glanced out at the pitch-black night. “You didn’t have to lie about going to a meeting and staying out so late. If you want me to leave, just say so.”
“And thanks for taking me to that business meeting. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
Jonathan’s jaw tightened as he released her wrist. “You’ve never trusted me. Not even once.”
Teresa said nothing. She walked away without looking back.
The door slammed shut. Jonathan stood silently. He told himself he wasn’t going to chase after her this time—if he did, he’d be a fool.