Chapter 526

With that, Hayden turned his gaze to Irene. He fixed his gaze on Irene and demanded, "Now, tell me everything you know."

Irene’s first reaction was to shake her head and avert her gaze, feigning ignorance. "I’m also a victim. Liora was the homewrecker."

Hayden pressed Irene again. "Then why are people saying you embezzled the money? And what’s the deal with the 3 million?"

Irene quickly defended herself. "That was compensation Liora willingly paid. It had nothing to do with me. I spent all the money back then on Yorick’s medical treatment and buying a new house."

Hayden clearly didn’t buy Irene’s story. How could medical bills possibly cost that much? And back then, houses weren’t even that expensive, he thought.

"What do you mean? Yorick had liver cancer back then. Do you think hospital visits, surgeries, and chemotherapy are free? The imported medication he needed wasn’t cheap either.

"I used the remaining money to buy a house, and I have every right to do so. Liora gave me that money as compensation for the damage she caused to my family. This is her punishment for breaking up our home."

Hayden jabbed a finger at Irene, his voice shaking with anger. "So you really did pocket her money? Three million dollars wasn’t a small sum. Yorick married you; he must have been out of his mind!"

"Grandpa, let’s not jump to conclusions before we know the truth," Jonathan said calmly.

While Hayden raged and Cathy silently watched from the sidelines, only Jonathan stood up to defend Irene.

"If what Sanford says proves true, we’ll give him whatever he wants. If he’s deliberately fabricating lies and twisting the truth to tarnish my late father’s reputation," Jonathan said coldly, "then I’ll sue him for slander and defamation."

Jonathan finished speaking. Only then did Hayden fall silent. Tears welled up in Irene’s eyes as she looked at Jonathan. It was then she realized, Only my own child truly cares for me.

Irene clutched Jonathan’s wrist tightly and pleaded. "I’m not the homewrecker. Liora is. I took her money, but that was-"

Irene paused noticeably at this point, her words trailing off as hesitation flickered in her eyes. Her eyes also darted away, a hint of evasiveness in her gaze. That brief pause didn’t escape Jonathan’s notice.

After a brief pause, Irene insisted, "Anyway, Liora wrecked my marriage with Yorick. Later, when Yorick got liver cancer, she felt guilty and gave us 3 million for his treatment of her own free will. It was her choice. I never forced her."

Irene added, her voice rising. "I swear, Liora gave me that money willingly. It had absolutely nothing to do with me. Other than taking her money, I did nothing wrong."

"Alright, Mom, calm down," Jonathan said with a weary sigh. "If you’ve done nothing wrong, then why are you so afraid of Liora? Unless what Sanford said is true. Dad really did abandon them."

"No, that’s not true," Irene blurted out, her voice trembling with urgency. "Your father would never do something like that. There’s absolutely no way he could have a child with her. Please, believe me. What I’m telling you is the truth."

Irene clutched Jonathan’s arm tightly. Jonathan uttered the word slowly. "Alright." At that moment, Jonathan thought to himself, If even her own son doesn’t believe her, how could she possibly stand her ground? Who else would trust her then?

After Irene calmed down, Jonathan addressed the whole family. "I’ll book the flights and accompany my mom to Shaville. Once we find Liora, we’ll get to the bottom of this."

Hayden nodded. "Good. Then the whole family will go."

Cathy said, "Dad, you’re getting on in years. Flying would be too risky. You should stay home."