Chapter 541
Irene blurted out, “How could I not hate her? What woman could just stand by and watch another woman carry her husband’s child–and then raise him for all these years? I hate her. God, sometimes I wish she would just drop dead.”
But then her tone suddenly softened as she continued, “After all, her son is still a Lynn. Please, Jonathan, just go easy on Sanford this once.”
Jonathan slowly rose to his feet, his piercing gaze locked on Irene. He demanded, “You’re keeping something from me. You haven’t been honest with me.”
Irene forced a weak smile and said, “What could I possibly be hiding from you?”
Jonathan said sharply, “Then what are you so afraid of? Your reactions and expressions make it clear you’re terrified of Liora. Does she have leverage over you?”
Irene’s eyes darted around even more nervously, growing increasingly unwilling to meet Jonathan’s gaze. She spoke defensively, “How could that be? Stop talking nonsense. I’m the legal wife. What leverage could she possibly have?”
Jonathan’s brows knitted tightly. He said, “If you don’t tell me, how can I have your back? By deliberately keeping things from me, you’re showing you don’t trust me at all.”
“I don’t have anything to hide from you,” Irene insisted, her voice tinged with forced conviction. She quickly changed the subject.
Forcing a smile, she tried to change the topic. “I’ve been stuck in this hospital for days, my whole body feels stiff. Can you help me get discharged? Let’s just go back to Nareigh, okay?”
Jonathan fixed Irene with a long, penetrating gaze, his expression unreadable, then turned and walked out.
After booking Irene’s return flight to Nareigh, Jonathan sent her ahead. He kept to himself whether he would sue Sanford.
Sanford remained at the police station, having been in custody for three full days.
For three days and nights, Liora had no idea how Sanford was faring inside. She barely slept, her mind racing with worry. Finally, after pulling some strings, she managed to arrange a brief visit with Sanford.
Sanford forced a smile and said, “I’m okay in here. Don’t worry about me, just focus on taking care of yourself. You know your heart can’t handle stress.”
Liora said, “It’s only been a few days, and you’ve already gotten so thin. How can I, as your mother, not worry?”
Sanford looked at Liora’s teary eyes and lowered his head. He said, “Mom, I’m fine. If I have to serve a few years in prison, I’m prepared to serve my time.”
Liora said, “No, I won’t let you stay in there a moment longer. Just wait here, Sanford. I am going to see Hayden right now.”
Sanford tried to stop her. He called out, “Mom!” But Liora had already left.
Liora was about to contact Werner when, to her surprise, he reached out to her first.
Werner informed Liora that Hayden, worried sick about Sanford’s detention, had come to Shaville. Werner texted: [Hayden will do anything for you. Be very careful with your words. Whatever you do, don’t reveal Sanford’s true parentage.]
Liora didn’t bother to reply. She tucked away her phone and hurried to the café where Hayden was waiting.
Hayden and Werner were waiting on the second floor in the café.
Liora rushed in. Barely out of the elevator, she was seized by a violent coughing fit, spitting out a significant amount of blood that stained her pristine white handkerchief.
Seeing this, a server rushed over and asked, “Are you alright? Do you need me to call 911?”
Liora remained composed. She managed a calm smile and waved it off. She replied, “I’m fine, just a chronic condition. Could you tell me which way Room 216 is? I’m meeting someone.”
“Right this way, please,” the server said politely.
“Okay,” Liora replied weakly.
With the server’s assistance, Liora finally managed to meet Werner and Hayden.
Werner’s breath hitched as he fixed his gaze on Liora, his eyes silently pleading, “Don’t say the wrong thing. Not a single word out of place.”