Chapter 528

Liora drifted into a dream that seemed to stretch on forever. She dreamed of her past: at a birthday party, she fell head over heels for the dashing Tal and handsome Yorick at first sight.

But when she woke up after a drunken night, she found that the person lying next to her was Werner.

Liora’s eyes snapped open with a start.

Suddenly, a male voice said, “You’re awake.”

Liora turned to see a figure she knew all too well. And the figure seemed to merge seamlessly with the remnants of her dream.

Her eyes widened in terror, her heart hammering against her ribs as she clutched the bedsheet in a death grip.

“You…” she stammered, staring at the figure as if she’d just seen a ghost, her breath hitched in her throat.

Werner said, “Liora, after all these years, I truly thought we’d never cross paths again.”

Liora snapped back to reality, eyeing Werner warily. She asked, “How did you find me here?”

Werner explained, “I had your Shaville address. I went looking for you there, and your caretaker told me you were hospitalized, so I came to check on you.”

Liora shook her head and said, “I’m perfectly fine. There’s nothing between us anymore. Why would you even come see me?”

Werner hesitated. Age had given him thicker skin. After a long pause, he finally forced out the question. “That boy, Sanford, is he my son?” he asked, his voice strained.

Liora turned her face away, refusing to meet Werner’s gaze. She said, “He’s my son, but not your flesh and blood.”

Werner’s mouth flattened. He asked, “You’re certain he’s not?”

“No,” Liora answered curtly.

“Whose son is he, then? Yorick’s?” Werner pressed.

“No,” Liora said, shaking her head.

Werner sighed, seeing Liora stand her ground. He said, “Back when we were classmates, I was smitten with you first. But the moment you laid eyes on Yorick, you were smitten with him instead.

“Fate can be cruel. Yorick was already married. If you hadn’t thrown yourself into a fire like that, you wouldn’t have ended up in such misery. At the very least, you would have had me by your side.”

Liora closed her eyes for a moment. Her tone was icy as she said, “You have your wife and kids now. Why dig up the past?”

Werner nodded and said, “You’re right. I love my wife and kids dearly, and I truly cherish the life I have now. When I was younger, I didn’t get it. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that true happiness lies in simplicity.

“But now this mess has happened, I have to come to see you.”

Liora asked, “What is it?”

Werner said, “Don’t tell me you’re still in the dark. Your son, Sanford, has stirred up a hornet’s nest.”

Liora looked utterly bewildered. She had no idea that Sanford had publicly denounced Jonathan and Irene online. For one, she rarely went online. For another, she’d been hospitalized with an angina attack right after her phone call with Sanford.

Right then, Werner laid out everything Sanford had done.

Liora’s eyes flew wide open in shock. She stammered, “Sanford. How could he do this?”

Werner said, “Tell me, who is Sanford’s father? I remember you told me there was nothing between you and Yorick. Yet between us, we did have that night.”

Liora suddenly lost control, jabbing a finger at Werner. She said, “Enough. Not another word. It’s been so many years. What happened between us–we agreed to forget it.

“I’ve long since moved on. I’ve always seen you as just a friend. Period.”

Werner said, “Don’t get so worked up. I’m not trying to provoke you. I just want to know the truth.”

Liora said, “I already told you, Sanford has nothing to do with Yorick. And he sure isn’t your son either.”

Werner wasn’t buying it. He said, “You know what? I’ve watched that video fifty damn times, over and over, scrutinizing every single frame.

“Sanford looks so much like me, barely anything like Yorick. So, he is my son, isn’t he? Tell me, were you pregnant back then? Just admit it, that’s my child.”

Liora said, “Sanford has nothing to do with your family, certainly not with you. Please, just stop asking. I’m begging you.” Utterly drained of strength, she feebly pointed toward the door and added, “Get out. Leave.”

Werner refused to leave. His weathered eyes betrayed a clear panic. He pleaded, “Liora, no matter who his father is, you must swear it’s not me.”

Liora fixed Werner with an icy stare.

Werner finally explained, “This whole mess has reached my father. If he finds out we had an affair in the past, it would ruin me. I have a wife and kids. God knows how they’d see me as a husband and a father.

“I know it’s a huge ask, but you must insist Sanford is Yorick’s flesh and blood. Yorick’s been dead for years, so there’s no way to do a DNA test.”

Liora’s gaze turned glacial. She snapped, “Why should I help you? I may owe Yorick, but I’ve never owed you a damn thing, Werner.”

Werner said through gritted teeth, “Fine, that slip of yours just confirmed it. Sanford is my flesh and blood. He’s my son.”

Liora bit her lip and remained silent.

Werner said, “You’re such a fool. Why didn’t you just abort it back then? You’re ruining us both. Do you have any idea you’re going to be the death of me?”

Liora bit her lip. She thought, ‘I’ve left Nareigh. How could I possibly harm anyone?‘

Werner said, “Here’s what matters now: do exactly as I say. Swear that Sanford is Yorick’s flesh and blood.”

Liora suddenly cried out, “I won’t do it. Yorick is not Sanford’s father.”

Werner remained eerily calm. He said, “Sanford publicly denounced Irene and her son, causing an uproar. My nephew is now the CEO of Horizonlead Group. He could crush Sanford like a bug.

“If he finds out everything Sanford said was false, just defamation and slander, what consequences do you think Sanford would face?”

Liora’s pupils constricted sharply at his words.

Werner, seeing Liora’s concern for Sanford, pressed on, “You have to stick to this story. Otherwise, you know how Irene is. She’ll make sure Sanford ends up behind bars.

“Could you bear to see Sanford in jail? As his father, I can’t. How could you, as his mother?”

Liora’s lips moved soundlessly, leaving her utterly speechless.

Werner reached out to pat Liora’s shoulder, but Liora flinched away, recoiling from his touch.

Though Liora tried to resist, Werner could tell his words had finally worn her down.

He shook his head with a weary sigh. Then he said, “Take care of yourself, Liora. Your heart’s always been fragile. Make sure you get some rest.” With that, he left.

Liora’s body went completely limp. Once she came back to her senses, she snatched up her phone and frantically searched for Sanford’s video, but it had already been deleted, leaving no trace to be found.

Sanford arrived at Shaville Airport and exchanged brief greetings with Donald.

Sensing the tension, Donald excused himself to the restroom, making a discreet exit.

Irene gave Sanford a thorough once–over from head to toe. There was something about his face that struck her as oddly familiar, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.