Chapter 499

“I believe you.” A deep voice suddenly came from behind. Gordon turned to see Jonathan, who helped him up, repeating, “I believe you.”

Gordon pouted, looking wronged, and grumbled, “No, she’s not Fiona.”

Jonathan nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

Seeing Jonathan’s genuine belief, Gordon clung tightly to the only hand that trusted him. “You said you’d take me to find Fiona. Where is she?”

Jonathan replied, “She’s playing hide-and-seek with you. I’ll take you to find her soon, okay?”

Gordon nodded and turned to Irene and Heidi. “Did you hear that? He said it’s not Fiona.”

Irene and Heidi complied, “Alright, alright, it’s not Fiona. We believe you.”

They coaxed Gordon into the car. Heidi wanted to take him to her place, but Gordon only trusted Jonathan; he wouldn’t go with anyone else.

Jonathan said, “I’ll take Grandpa to my place and get some caregivers to look after him.”

Heidi agreed, “Alright.”

After sending Gordon to Jonathan’s estate, Irene said, “Don’t take what your grandpa says to heart. He has dementia and just talks nonsense sometimes.”

Heidi added, “Dad’s mind is all over the place. We already found her for him, but he still won’t believe it. He’s really making things tough for us.”

Jonathan was silent for a few seconds. “But what if she really isn’t my grandma?”

Heidi laughed, “How could the photos be fake? She looks just like her, and her name is Fiona. She has to be your grandma.”

Irene nodded, patting Jonathan’s shoulder. “You’ve worked hard finding her. Leave the rest to us. Heidi and I will take care of everything on her side.”

Jonathan pressed his lips together and said nothing more.

Gordon stayed at Jonathan’s villa, where Jonathan arranged for two top-notch caregivers. Gordon lay in the big bed, awake, repeatedly asking Jonathan, “You’ll find Fiona for me, won’t you?”

“I will.”

“I… trust… you…” Gordon slowly closed his eyes.

The night deepened, but Jonathan remained awake. He’d already sent Irene’s toothbrush and the old lady’s persona samples for DNA testing. His phone buzzed. “Mr. Lynn, the expedited DNA results you requested are in. I’ll bring them right over.”

“Alright,” he said, hanging up.

His assistant arrived shortly with the report. Jonathan opened it, going straight to the last page. His frown softened into a slight smile as he read the results. Then, without hesitation, he got into his car and drove off.

Back at Rosary Estates, Teresa kept glancing at her phone. She’d left the hospital as soon as Irene and Heidi arrived—she really didn’t want to run into Irene. Jonathan had promised to let her know immediately upon confirming the old lady’s identity as his grandmother, but he hadn’t contacted her yet.

“Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Michael, in his short-sleeved pajamas, rubbed his eyes and watched Teresa pace.

Teresa gently touched his head. “Did I wake you, sweetheart? Go back to bed. I’m just thinking.”

“Mom… if something’s wrong, you can tell me,” Michael mumbled, yawning, his eyes half-closed.

Teresa smiled and reassured him. Then she soothed him back to sleep, patting his little belly and softly humming a lullaby.

Just as Teresa settled him, her phone vibrated. She tiptoed out, quietly closing the bedroom door.

It was already eleven-thirty at night. She wasn’t asleep, and neither was he. On the other end, Jonathan sounded a little out of breath. “Come downstairs. I need to talk to you.”

Teresa pulled back the living room curtains and saw the familiar Maybach parked outside. “Okay,” she replied.

She wore a camisole dress with a loose, long shirt thrown over it. Only when she stepped outside did she realize she’d rushed out in her slippers, too anxious about the results to care. She knew Jonathan was here to discuss his grandmother.

She asked, “How’s the old lady doing? Did you get the results? Is it really your grandma?”

Jonathan nodded. “She’s fine, totally lucid. Grandpa checked—she is my real grandma.”

Teresa’s eyes flickered with relief and anxiety. Her chest tightening, she asked, “And then? What did your grandma say? What about your mom—does she know it was Charlie who hit your grandma?”

Jonathan kept his gaze on Teresa, a teasing glint in his eyes. “My grandma said she hopes you’ll marry me again. And if you do, she’ll let you off the hook.”

Teresa froze, looking up at his deep, unreadable eyes. “Why would I have to marry you? Did you tell your grandma something? Why else would she want that? What about your mom? Does your whole family think this way?”

Jonathan clenched his fist and laughed.

Teresa looked at him, confused.

“I’m just messing with you.” Jonathan pulled out the DNA test report. “I ran a test with my mom’s DNA and the old lady’s. Here’s the result.”

Teresa took the report, saw Irene and Fiona’s names, and quickly flipped to the last page: [There is a familial relationship, but the results aren’t enough to confirm they’re mother and daughter.]

Teresa looked up at Jonathan.

“She’s not my grandma. I’m guessing she’s probably my grandma’s sister. My real grandma should be Ms. Nelson—the one who raised your sister.”

As soon as he finished, Teresa kicked him in the leg. “You totally had that coming for messing with me.”

Jonathan sucked in a breath. “Try heels when you want to do this again. That really hurts.”

Teresa glared at him.

Jonathan smiled gently, his eyes saying, “I’m here, so what’s there to worry about?” He said softly, “I came straight to you because I didn’t want you stressing out.” And then he left, telling her to get some sleep.

Jonathan barely got any sleep that night. Gordon suddenly started coughing up blood, so he rushed home and called Irene.

June 10, 10:25 AM

Chapter 499

Irene hurried over, unsure of Gordon’s health problems beyond Alzheimer’s. Gordon was stubborn—he hated hospitals and refused checkups. She only knew he had high blood pressure.

Irene asked, “Could this just be a complication from advanced Alzheimer’s? Maybe it’s not that serious?”

“We’ll only know after the checkup,” Jonathan replied.

The doctors they called shook their heads, their faces grim. Things didn’t look good. They insisted Gordon needed a full examination at the hospital, but he refused to go.

Jonathan said sharply, “If you don’t cooperate, I won’t take you to Fiona.”

Gordon immediately grabbed Jonathan’s hand. “No, don’t do that,” he pleaded. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

Jonathan lowered his gaze, looking at the frail, trembling hand, the veins clearly visible. He gently took Gordon’s hand. “Trust me,” he said.