Chapter 515

When Teresa got home, her hands were still red, and her arms sore. Jonathan called her, but she declined and texted, telling him to stop.

Jonathan: [Why did you leave so fast?]

Teresa: [Ask yourself. Just do me a favor and give me a break, okay?]

Teresa tossed her phone aside and headed straight for the shower. She thought, ‘Thankfully, I left in time. Who knew how long he would have kept going?’

An hour later, Teresa checked her phone again, only to find she had gotten tons of texts. He sent her many suggestive words, but since she hadn’t responded, he eventually stopped. The last message from him was an apology.

Teresa: [I was in the shower just now. Why are you apologizing?]

Jonathan: [Sorry for only thinking about my own pleasure and not taking care of you. I’ll make it up to you next time.]

Teresa: [Fuck off.]

However, just before going to bed, she couldn’t help but check her phone again. She saw another message from Jonathan, saying he would pick her up tomorrow.

Teresa’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Instinctively, she rushed to Michael’s room, only to realize she had already sent him to Miriam’s place for the night since Charlie’s trial was scheduled for tomorrow.

She found that ever since she got pregnant, her memory had been getting worse day by day.

In the evening, Teresa received a notice that the trial was postponed due to Charlie’s pneumonia. She thought, ‘What a coincidence, why did he suddenly fall ill?’

A three-day delay felt unbearable to Evelyn. With no connections to turn to, Teresa tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. At dawn, Jonathan showed up at her door.

Teresa said, “The trial was delayed three days. They said Charlie is sick, but I don’t know if that’s legit. You know people. Can you dig into this for me? Please.”

Jonathan fell silent for a beat. “Get in the car first. We’ll grab breakfast first.”

Teresa replied, “I’m not hungry.”

“Come on, I’m starving. Just join me for breakfast,” Jonathan said, slipping his arm around Teresa’s shoulders and guiding her into his car.

Teresa was about to cut the steak, but Jonathan already sliced it and handed it to her. He glanced at her untouched food and said, “Come on, don’t be so anxious. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you. How do you want me to pay you back?” Teresa asked.

Jonathan elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth and said briefly, “I didn’t have enough fun last night.”

Teresa blushed instantly. She said, “What do you mean? I’ve already…”

Jonathan smirked. “Yeah, but I want more.”

Teresa didn’t say anything.

Jonathan finally let it go. “Alright, we’ll talk about that later. I’ll help you win this case against Charlie. Trust me.”

Only then did Teresa nod slightly. “Thanks.”

Jonathan scoffed softly. He never liked it when she kept thanking him like that.

Soon, Jonathan got some news. It turned out the trial was postponed because Charlie had hired a top-tier attorney. The illness was all an act, and it seemed that he didn’t plan on rotting in prison. He was busy trying to get a lighter sentence.

With Jonathan’s help, Teresa told Evelyn what was going on.

Evelyn sighed helplessly. “See? I told you. I was right from the start to have Jonathan find me a lawyer, but you insisted on keeping him out of it and just had to do it your way.”

Teresa said, “Charlie committed so many crimes. No matter who he hires, he won’t get away.”

Evelyn remained anxious. “What if his lawyer really is that good?”

Teresa said, “No matter how good Charlie’s lawyer is, he still committed those crimes. What are you afraid of?”

Evelyn finally let the matter drop.

Teresa maintained a calm facade, but deep down, the stress was overwhelming. She was the one who had found the lawyer for Evelyn, and she couldn’t bear to think about the consequences if they lost the case.

Evelyn was hoping Charlie would get a heavy sentence. Anything under ten years would surely leave her bitterly disappointed.

Overwhelmed by these thoughts, Teresa went to Jonathan’s office once again.

Seeing her flushed and sweaty, pale from worry, Jonathan told the secretary to bring some food and said with a trace of concern, “You haven’t eaten anything, have you? Come on, let’s grab something first.”

Teresa said quietly, “I’m not hungry at all.”

Jonathan ordered, “I don’t care. Just eat this.”

Teresa remained silent.

Jonathan handed her a fork with a sigh. “I told you I’ve got your back. What are you so afraid of? I won’t let you lose.”

Teresa said, “Jonathan, all I’m asking is for you to find out if Charlie has any backup plans. I’m worried he’s got more than just a new lawyer. Did you uncover anything else about him? Please, just tell me everything you know.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jonathan reassured her. He didn’t tell her what he had uncovered. Instead, he said, “Just remember, he might try to run, but he won’t get far. He knows damn well what he did, and he’s gonna pay for that.”

Teresa absentmindedly poked at the food. Seeing this, Jonathan handed her the gruel and said, “It’s not as good as the stuff I make. Once the trial is over, I’ll cook something proper for you.”

Teresa shook her head. “No need. If I lose this case, I’m done with Nareigh.”

“Where are you going then?” Jonathan took a deep breath to steady himself. “I told you countless times to trust me. Can you, just once, actually listen to me?”

Teresa said, “My mind is a mess now because I…”

“What?” Jonathan asked.

Teresa shook her head and went back to her meal.

Jonathan’s phone buzzed. He made a quick call, then waited until Teresa finished eating and drove her home. Just as she was about to get out of the car, he stopped her.

He said, “If you didn’t trust me, you wouldn’t have come to me in the first place. Now that you have me here, don’t doubt me, okay? You’re safe in Nareigh. Besides, the trial hasn’t even started yet.”

Teresa nodded, keeping his words in mind.

Jonathan’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing, and he left in a hurry. Teresa figured that he was just busy with work, so she didn’t bother asking where he was headed.

Three days later, the trial finally started. Teresa had just taken her seat in the courtroom when Jonathan walked in. They locked eyes for a moment.

They weren’t seated in the same row, but Teresa couldn’t help stealing a few more glances at him. Jonathan gave her a slight nod, which was subtle but strangely comforting.

However, that brief calm only lasted a few seconds. The very next moment, someone walked over with an air of nonchalance. It was Sanford.

Teresa couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Sanford kept grinning at her, saying, “I want to watch this too.”