Chapter 492

Irene and Heidi were both confused. They had never even met their mother. Gordon had grabbed Jennifer’s wrist, insisting that the bracelet she was wearing belonged to Fiona.

Jonathan said to Irene, “I’m heading out for a bit. Can you get in touch with Donald’s parents and apologize to them?”

“Sure,” Irene replied.

After Jonathan left, Cathy and Werner arrived at the hospital. Cathy glanced at Gordon lying in the hospital bed and asked, “Is he all right now?”

Irene shook her head and sighed helplessly. “I never thought he’d suddenly lose it at Jennifer. Apparently, it was all because of that bracelet on her wrist.”

Cathy asked, “Why would Gordon freak out just from seeing a bracelet?”

“I have no idea. We’ll have to wait until my dad wakes up and ask him. He kept insisting it was my mom’s,” Irene said.

“Maybe he was just talking nonsense,” Cathy said, not taking it too seriously, but clearly wanting to speak with Irene alone.

Irene said, “We can talk right here.”

Cathy and Werner exchanged a look, and Heidi spoke up, “I’ll go get Dad something to eat, in case he wakes up hungry and starts making a fuss.”

Once Heidi left, Cathy nudged Werner, signaling him to leave.

Werner said, “Irene, look at the mess he has caused. You knew Gordon had dementia, but you still brought him to the wedding. This was Donald’s big day. Now look what happened.”

He continued, “The whole wedding was ruined. Jennifer got upset. Cathy and I had to go around apologizing to everyone. What a disaster.”

Irene let out a cold laugh. “Like I wanted any of this. Honestly, Jennifer never should have married Donald. She is a troublemaker, but you just wouldn’t listen. Now look, the wedding is a mess.”

Cathy interrupted, “Irene, it was Gordon who lost it and ruined the wedding. If he hadn’t, none of this would have happened.”

Irene pressed her lips together, her face cold. “Fine. When my dad wakes up, he’ll apologize to you.”

Cathy breathed out and forced a smile. “Irene, we’re not trying to make things hard for Gordon.”

“So you’re just making things hard for me, huh?” Irene shot back.

“You all think I’m up to something, that I messed up Donald’s wedding on purpose, right? That’s what you really think, isn’t it?”

Cathy could no longer maintain her forced smile. She snorted, “We never said that.”

Irene said, “Oh, cut the act. You’re only being nice because my son’s got money and power. You just want to cozy up to us, admit it.”

Werner said, “We really don’t think that way.”

Irene said, “Alright, enough.” She sat down in a huff, her anger flaring. “Werner, you can stop pretending too. Back then, your family got so many benefits. Your brother was smarter than you, but for your sake, he gave up a high-paying job overseas.”

She added, “He stayed home to take care of Gordon so you could go chase your dreams without any worries. But what did you do? You went out for a few years and came back with nothing to show for it. Then you married Cathy, and my dad even paid for your house. He always favored you. When I married your brother, we got nothing. After your brother died, you finally remembered Jonathan. Now that Jonathan’s made it big and started his own company, you’ve all been living off him. Don’t tell me Jonathan hasn’t given you money. Even your son’s engagement and wedding were paid for by Jonathan—almost sixty thousand dollars. And now you’re expecting me to apologize to you?”

Irene finished, her voice shaking with anger, and Werner couldn’t get a word out. Cathy couldn’t stand seeing Werner like that. She said, “Come on, Irene, why bring up the past?”

Irene said, “What did I do wrong? None of this was my choice. Don’t pin it all on me.”

Cathy said, “That’s your dad causing this. My son’s wedding turned into a mess, and we can’t even complain? Usually, we let you have your way because you’re a widow—”

“What did you just say?” Irene’s eyes widened. “I don’t need your pity!” She shoved Cathy. “Get out. Both of you, out!”

Werner quickly pulled Cathy away. “Let’s go.” He led his wife out, steering clear of Irene. Cathy’s eyes filled with tears as she stormed out of the hospital, shaking off Werner’s hand.

Cathy said, “Why didn’t you stand up to her? Sure, we’re not as rich, but it’s not like she earned that money herself. It’s all because Jonathan’s successful. Without him, Irene’s nothing.”

Werner sighed. “Irene said Gordon would apologize once he wakes up, so let’s just leave it at that. No need to make things worse.”

Cathy’s tears fell harder. She asked, “Why are you so scared of her? I’ve kept quiet for years, never dared to talk back. Haven’t I suffered enough?”

Werner led Cathy to the car, telling her to cry inside instead of making a scene. Cathy didn’t even want to look at him. He tried to cheer her up by offering to buy her favorite pastries, but she found him disgusting.

Werner said, “I know you’re upset, but she’s still my sister-in-law. My brother looked after me when he was alive. Now he’s gone. Am I supposed to bully his wife?”

Cathy said, “Our son’s wedding is ruined, everyone’s laughing at him, and you still care more about your dead brother? Does only Irene’s pride matter? What about ours? Are we just supposed to let her walk all over us?”

Werner sighed again and fell silent.

Jonathan got in touch with the dealership and arranged for a deep gray Audi Q8 for Donald. The car was three times the price of Donald’s old ride. When Donald saw the sleek, impressive car, his eyes lit up. “Jonathan, I can’t accept this.”

“Just take it. I know you sold your car,” Jonathan said.

Donald cleared his throat. “No, my car’s just in for maintenance.”

“Come on, you think I don’t know? Where else did you get that 150 thousand from?” Jonathan sighed. “Grandpa Gordon already caused you enough trouble. If there’s anything else I can help with, just let me know.”

Donald shook his head. “I appreciate it, Jonathan, but this really isn’t your problem.”

Jonathan paused for a couple of seconds and asked, “How’s Jennifer doing now?”

Donald sighed. “Jennifer’s been staying at home, not in the best mood. Don’t worry, Jonathan, I’ll take good care of her.”

Jonathan wasn’t worried about Jennifer. He was worried about Teresa and had no idea how she was holding up.

He explained to Donald, “Grandpa Gordon lost it when he saw Jennifer wearing that bracelet. He kept insisting it was Grandma’s. I wanted to ask if you know where that bracelet came from.”