Chapter 544

Benny snatched the glass from Jonathan’s hand and said, “Come on, man, stop drinking. If you keep going, I won’t have the strength to haul you once you pass out.”

Jonathan ignored Benny, grabbed another glass, and kept drinking.

Benny immediately assumed that Teresa had once again broken Jonathan’s heart. He asked, “Seriously, what’s going on between you and Teresa this time?”

Jonathan replied, “It has nothing to do with her.”

Benny didn’t buy it. He said, “Come on, it can’t have nothing to do with her. Besides Teresa, who else could make you drink this much? Don’t tell me you’re going bankrupt or something.”

Jonathan shot him an indifferent look.

Benny quickly said, “Relax, just messing with you. Then, if your business is fine, what’s with the drinking?”

Jonathan muttered, “Funny how you can have all the money in the world and still not buy happiness.”

He absently twirled his glass, his face reflected in the clear surface. His words lingered in the air, as if he were talking about himself, yet also addressing Benny.

When he didn’t receive a reply, he looked up and found that Benny was already gone.

Benny made a phone call before coming over. Seeing Jonathan still drinking, he gestured toward the door and said, “I’m stepping out for a bit.” Then he made a beeline for the airport.

Teresa had just stepped off the plane when she spotted Benny waving at her. She made her way toward him.

Benny said, “I was just about to tell you to come to Shaville to check on Jonathan, and here you are already.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Teresa blurted out before she could stop herself.

Benny sighed and said, “He’s been drinking like crazy. What did you do to hurt him this time?”

Teresa gave Benny an angry shove. She snapped, “What do you mean I hurt him again? That’s got nothing to do with me.”

Benny scoffed, “That’s what he said, too. Then why’s he drowning his sorrows?”

Teresa fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “Maybe it’s something to do with his family.”

Benny looked puzzled. He said, “But wasn’t that rumor-monger already detained? Wasn’t it proven to be slander?”

Teresa said, “But he is Jonathan’s half-brother. That part is true.”

“What?” Benny exclaimed, stunned.

“Which bar is he at?” Teresa asked Benny urgently.

Benny said, “It’s along the Shaville Bund. I’ll text you the exact floor. It’s on the seventh floor.”

“Alright,” Teresa replied and checked her phone.

Benny said, “Then I won’t go over. Now that you’re here, I can rest easy. He’s got a villa in Quietia. Just take him there when you’re done with him.”

Teresa said, “I know that one. I’ve been there.”

Benny was left speechless. He thought, “Some friend you are. When I was in town for work and asked to stay at your villa since it was close, you turned me down. But for her? No problem at all.”

Before leaving, Benny quipped to Teresa, “Just how much are you two keeping from me? If you’re practically living together all the time, why not just get remarried already?”

Teresa remained silent.

And with that, they went their separate ways.

Inside the bar, Jonathan was deep in his cups, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. The flickering bar lights cast shifting shadows over his head, dividing his broad shoulders into alternating patches of light and dark.

Teresa watched him from a distance for a few moments before quietly taking the seat beside him, not uttering a word.

Perhaps sensing a presence beside him, Jonathan slowly lifted his gaze. His eyes, glazed with alcohol-induced redness, fixed on Teresa, a sudden spark of clarity flickering within them. He asked, “What are you doing here?”

Teresa said gently, “I’m in town for work and just thought I’d swing by to check on you.”

Jonathan gave a faint, tipsy smile and said, “Can’t you just humor me for once? Say you came all this way just for me?”