Chapter 683

Jonathan remembered when Christian introduced his wife, saying her name was Sherry Roth. But back when Teresa was present, she introduced Christian’s wife as Sherry Johnson.

When Jonathan first began to question Mike’s identity, Christian had explained, “The child took his mother’s surname—Johnson.”

Jonathan thought, ‘So, what’s her real name, then?’

He sensed that something was off. That unease had haunted him for days. He took out his phone and scrolled to Christian’s name in his contacts. After a brief hesitation, he skipped it and called his current assistant, Riley, instead.

Riley said, “Hello, Mr. Lynn. How may I help you?”

Jonathan asked, “Riley, aren’t you close with Christian? Did he invite you to his wedding?”

Riley replied, “Yes, I got one. Is something wrong, Mr. Lynn? Didn’t he give you one?”

Jonathan wasn’t carrying the invitation with him–not that he’d paid much attention to it before. He asked Riley, “Could you check Christian’s wedding invitation for me? What’s the bride’s name listed there?”

Riley asked, “Isn’t Christian’s wife named Sherry Roth?”

Jonathan thought, “Sherry Roth, not Sherry Johnson? Then why is their child named Mike Johnson? What the hell is going on here?”

Jonathan furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

Suddenly, Lucas sat down beside Jonathan.

Jonathan turned his head and was momentarily taken aback. He noticed that the profile of Lucas bore a resemblance to Teresa’s.

Lucas seemed to sense Jonathan’s gaze. He asked, “Sir, is there something on my face?”

Jonathan shook his head slightly and said, “My apologies.” He thought, ‘Am I just seeing things? Why does everyone I see remind me of Teresa?’

Lucas let out a heavy sigh, running both hands through his hair before letting his head drop. He muttered, “I’m such a loser.”

It sounded like Lucas was just venting to himself, or maybe pouring his heart out to Jonathan, because he had no one else to turn to.

Jonathan asked politely. “Do you need any help?”

Lucas shook his head and said, “I’m such a loser. I finally managed to get one hard-won chance, but I blew it just because I was late. I guess I’ll never make it big now.

“I love singing and dancing. I’ve been a trainee since I was twenty, and now I’m almost thirty. Year after year, my debut spot gets snatched away. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this path to stardom.

“Maybe reality is this cruel–I’m destined to remain unseen, destined to amount to nothing. All I want is just one chance to shine. I just don’t want to live and die without a single person in this world remembering me.”

Lucas glanced at Jonathan and said, “Sorry, just ignore my rambling. I had a couple of beers earlier, so I’m a little tipsy.”

He had simply been bottling up his feelings for far too long and needed to vent, completely unaware of who this “tree hole” beside him was.

Lucas said, “I’m off to find my assistant now. Goodbye.” With that, he braced his hands on his knees and pushed himself to his feet.

In a deep, measured voice, Jonathan said, “Wishing you success.”

The words caught Lucas off guard. He turned to look at Jonathan.

Jonathan gave him a slight nod and said, “It would be a shame if you never returned to Nareigh just because of one failed audition. This city has so many culinary delights and scenic spots to offer. You’re always welcome to visit again.”

Just then, Lucas’s assistant hurried over and called out, “Lucas, what are you doing sitting here? Your boarding pass is on your right.”

“Got it,” Lucas replied. Before turning to leave, he said sincerely to Jonathan, “Thank you.”

Though they were just strangers who’d met by chance, this unexpected encounter left Lucas with a glimmer of warmth and solace in his heart.

Suddenly, Jonathan’s phone rang. It was Gary calling.

Gary said, “Jonathan, where are you? You’re not at the office, and you’re not back at Forlisle Rose Estates either.”

Jonathan replied, “I’m at the airport. What do you need?”

Gary blurted out, “I have to tell you something. If I don’t say it today, who knows when I’ll get another chance?”

Jonathan stood up and walked toward the terminal lobby. He asked, “What’s so important you can’t just say it over the phone?”

Gary said, “Remember how I said I’d show you the proof? Well, I’ve got it right here in my hands. I have to see you and tell you in person. If I just blurt it out over the phone, you probably wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

Before Jonathan could even reply, Gary abruptly hung up. He then checked his navigation. Nareigh Airport was a thirty-minute drive away, but the subway would be faster, avoiding traffic delays. So he drove to a nearby subway station.

Spotting an elderly street vendor by the roadside, Gary stopped his car. He grabbed the megaphone the old man used to call out his wares.

The old man stood there, dumbfounded. He murmured to himself, “This kid left me 200 dollars in cash and took my megaphone? Never seen anything like this before.”

Just ten minutes after Jonathan hung up with Gary, Donald’s call came through.

Donald said, “Jonathan, are you off work yet? Where are you right now? I have something urgent I have to tell you today.”

Jonathan’s brow tightened sharply. He thought, ‘Why is everyone suddenly lining up to tell me something important? Could it be that Gary and Donald are going to say the same thing?’

Jonathan replied, “I’m at the airport. What’s so important that you can’t just tell me over the phone?”