Chapter 668
Without wasting any more time, Jennifer stood up, clenched her fists, composed herself, and went back to her office as if nothing had happened. She told Lucia, “I’m going out for a while,” and turned around and left. Her face was grim.
By noon, Teresa brought Michael back to Rosary Estates. With the luggage already packed at home, Sherry unexpectedly came by to give Teresa a wedding invitation–she and Christian were planning to get married in Nareigh.
Sherry said, “Teresa, I knew you were busy, so I hadn’t dropped by in person until this morning, but you weren’t home.”
Teresa said, “Mike had a stomachache yesterday, so I took him to the hospital.”
Sherry quickly turned to Michael with concern. “Are you feeling better now, Mike? Is everything okay?”
Teresa gently stroked Michael’s chin. In his sweet, childish voice, Michael said, “Thank you for worrying about me, Auntie Sherry. I’m all better now, and my tummy doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Sherry said, “What a good boy, Mike.”
“Michael, why don’t you go to your room for a bit? I need to talk to Sherry alone,” Teresa said gently.
“Okay, Mommy,” Michael said.
Teresa poured a cup of coffee for Sherry and motioned for her to sit down. Sherry’s eyes landed on the suitcases in the living room. ‘Wait. Are these? Could it be she’s leaving?’ Sherry wondered.
Teresa hummed, making light of the situation. “Just planning to take Michael abroad for a little vacation; we both need to unwind.”
“Is this just a trip, or are you leaving for good? I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were going. I have to confess something: Christian wanted to tell Mr. Lynn the truth about Mike several times, but I stopped him every time,” Sherry admitted.
Christian had returned to Nareigh precisely to find out if Jonathan knew the truth about Mike. He also came back to resign. Christian had been away from his post for over half a year, so it was perfectly reasonable for Jonathan to fire him. After finishing all the necessary paperwork, Christian really left Horizonlead Group for good this time.
Sherry confessed, “I was afraid Jonathan would blacklist Christian for withholding the truth about his son, and that would ruin Christian’s career prospects. That’s why I couldn’t let him come clean.”
Sherry added, “Now that I’m married to Christian, I think about a lot more. Teresa, forgive my selfishness. I know if it weren’t for me, Christian would have told Mr. Lynn long ago that Mike is his son, and Mr. Lynn wouldn’t have been kept in the dark for so long.”
Teresa was silent for a long while, then shook her head. “At first, I asked you and Christian to help hide Mike’s secret. You both thought I’d tell the truth eventually, but it’s my choice that led us here. I can only blame myself.”
“Don’t say that.” She took Teresa’s hand, sounding a bit helpless. “I know you mean well. After all, quite a few people know about Mike, not only Christian and me, but also Miriam. Mr. Lynn will surely hold each of us accountable one by one.”
“Maybe,” Teresa replied quietly. She paused, her voice low. “Actually, I’m even more afraid of Jonathan.”
Sherry asked, “What exactly are you afraid of when it comes to Jonathan?”
“Never mind,” Teresa said. She didn’t say exactly what it was about Jonathan that scared her.
Sherry pressed further. “So you’re taking Mike away? And keeping Mr. Lynn in the dark?” Teresa didn’t deny it.
Sherry said anxiously, “Teresa, it’s too late. Gary has already visited Christian several times. He took the original DNA test results Christian had done and said he was going to have them retested. Most likely, the DNA sample has already been sent for testing.”
“Yes, I know,” Teresa replied, her voice calm but weary.
“What? You knew?” Sherry gasped.