172.Chapter 172
The day after Irene asked why Jonathan lent his car to Teresa was the very day he applied to change the license plate. At present, the license plate on the Maybach was TJ143
Michael only recognized the numbers. “Mr. Lime, what do the squiggly lines at the front mean?”
“I’ll tell you when you’re all grown up,” said Jonathan
“It’s a promise, then. Don’t forget that, Mr. Lime,” Michael stated.
At that moment, Jonathan suddenly realized Michael no longer called him “Mr. Daddy Lime Instead of probing, Jonathan gently patted Michael on the head. “All right, I won’t forget.”
“Mr. Lynn, the driver softly reminded. “You have a meeting scheduled with the CEO of Strategic Dynamics Group at three d
clock”
Hearing that Jonathan had to return to work, Michael clung tightly to Jonathan and looked up at him. “Mr. Lime, can you play with me a bit longer, please?”
Jonathan could not bring himself to say no, hence asking. “Play what?”
Michael replied, “Can you lift me high up in the air like I’m flying?”
Bending over, Jonathan placed his hands under Michael’s armpits and lifted the boy like a plane soaring into the sky. Michael guffawed with joy.
Jennifer, who was looking for Michael, saw that scene from across the street and frowned.
She wanted to take Michael back, but she paused and thought better of it. Then, she walked back into the daycare center to have a word with the teacher,
Soon after, the daycare teacher approached Jonathan and Michael. “Mike, you can’t just run off like that. C’mon, let’s go back.”
It was then that Jonathan noticed the daycare sign and realized what was going on. He gently set Michael down. Michael looked at Jonathan longingly “Bye, Mr Lime”
“See you, Mike.” Jonathan watched as the teacher took Michael’s hand and walked away. Only then did he tear his gaze away and hop into the car
The driver looked at the rearview mirror and noticed a fleeting hint of sadness in Jonathan’s eyes Curious, he asked, “Mr. Lynn, do you really like children?”
Jonathan did not deny it. If he and Teresa had a child, he would love them dearly Jonathan grew up without a father, so if he ever had a kid to call his own, he would give them the world
At night, Teresa planned to pick Michael up from Miriams house, only to be told by Miriam that Jennifer had already beat her to the punch
When Teresa returned to Rosary Estates, Jennifer said to her, “That bestie of yours is so carefree, dropping Mike off at the daycare without even a word. What if something happened?”
Teresa furrowed her brows slightly. “Don’t say that, Hannah. Miriam has a job to worry about I’m already grateful she watched Michael for me”
Jennifer pursed her hips and changed the subject. Tve arranged with the hospital to switch shifts. Just focus on the company’s product launch event. Il take care of Mike for the next few days”
Teresa nodded and went to the room to check on Michael, noticing a tinge of sadness in his eyes. She asked,
wrong?”
“What’s
Shaking his head, Michael jumped into Teresa’s embrace. “Mommy! I saw Mr. Lime today and even said hi. He came back from his business trip. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Oh, I forgot. I’ll be so busy and coming home late for the next couple of days, so Aunt Hannah will be looking after you.” pronounced Teresa
“Mommy, why don’t you send me over to Mr. Lime’s place just like before New Year’s Day? He can accompany me?” Michael suggested
Teresa froze “Why? Don’t you like Aunt Hanna.
Successfully unlocked!
“I do. Aunt Hannah is family, and I like her. Still, I like Mr. Lime even more Michael voiced
That rendered Teresa speechless. Seeing Teresa unmoved, Michael continued to plead “Mommy, I’ll be good. I promise! won’t call Mr. Lime Daddy. I also promise I won’t mention your name
42
set talk, she could not say no to him. After comforting Michael, she
tweldang the c. Few was all ady to head out when, wut of the blue, Jennifer clenched her wrist and questioned” Www do you think you’re going?
That’s my Fasiness Even if youre my sister you should cut me some stack Teresa shook off Jennifer’s grip with a cold
Its my fault that i got distracted today.
ross the street Your ex’s car
estreet
just happened to be on Capston Forth Hood ke saw him, so he went over to say hi Jennifer said
Tikai beg me like this it’s my fault. Fil talk this out with Jonathan. Not letting them
Cruel What about fos family trying to take Like away from you? don’t it cruel to hear the boy cry for his mom?” Jennifer ramarkand, wid İmesan steps stopped altogether
A nigh escaped Jennifer “you’re too soft hearted! Fike isn’ten three. What could he possibly understand? If somebody elen was nice tu lams, hard he just as happy and attached to them.
Te been keeping this for too long I ven switched the DNA samples for you. If you tell your ex now, all my efforts will go down the drain
Teresa bured around and eyed Jennifer in disbelief, and a hint of guilt toward Donald fitted across Jennifer’s eyes. “I was the one who switched the hair samples for the test!
“Your na caine to our hospital to see his cousin and asked Donald for a DNA test. I swapped the samples while Donald wasn’t looking What, you think you could keep the truth about Mike from him until now?”
Coming to her senses, Teresa grabbed Jennifer by the shoulders. “Are you out of your mind, Hannah? You don’t have to do this for me. You’re a doctor Misusing your power like this is illegal. If you get caught, your career will be ruined.”
“I know, but you’re my sister Since you wanna keep this a secret, Fl help you. I wasn’t thinking straight at the time.
“Besides, we’ll be leaving Harigh sooner or later. Your ex doesn’t know about the boy, so nobody knows about what I did. Once we’re gone, it’ll be like nothing ever happened, came Jennifer’s speech
Powerless, Teresa loosened her grip. At that moment, she understood it all.
the learned why Jonathan claimed that Michael was not his son. Jonathan had gone to Donald at the hospital for a DNA test, but it was not that Laily Luck smiled at her and kept the secret for her, it was Jennifer who switched the samples. Teresa had also asked Cheryl to keep Michael’s background a secret, yet the stakes were different. Cheryl was Jonathan’s cousin, so Jonathan would spare Cheryl, Jennifer, though, would be a different story, not to mention she was a doctor. Teresa dreaded to imagine what Jonathan would do to expose Jennifer’s identity should he find out about it. Jennifer blurted out, “If you tell your ex now, I’ll be screwed. Hell expose me, and I’ll lose my hard–earned job and have my medical license revoked. His family will then take Mike away. By then, you’ll have nothing left.”
Pausing briefly, she went on, “So, are you still gonna tell him about Mike? Haven’t you realized yet?”
Teresa was speechless. She stayed silent for a long time, clenching her fists tightly, and then she stepped out, shutting the door behind her.
Jennifer stared at Teresa’s departing figure. Deep down, she wondered if Teresa would spill everything about Michael to Jonathan, waiting to see whose side Teresa would pick–hers or Jonathan’s.
- Chay 172
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Lit’s none of your business. You’re my ex, remember?” Teresa shot back.
Before she could walk past him, Jonathan grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. His lips brushed her neck, leaving a faint
Then, let everyone see this. It’s mine,” he murmured.
Teresa’s jaw lightened. “You think I won’t? Her resolve flared, and she was ready to take the stage, no matter Jonathan grabbed her again. “Legally, I can’t control you anymore. But morally? I still have a say An ex–husband is
hat
Teresa was speechless Jonathan draped his jacket over her shoulders, patting it gently. “Just wear this. You’re already stunning as it in–if you dress like this, everyone will focus on you, not the products.”
Her expression softened at his words, but she quickly shrugged off the jacket and handed it back. “I have a white blazer. T
Jonathan nodded, satisfied, and headed back to the venue. Teresa, still adjusting her gown, prepared to take the stage Her nerves buzzed as she stepped up to the podium and gave her opening speech. That was her first product launch event, and there were companies that had worked with Teresouth Group, as well as new ones eager to partner in the future. But when she saw Jonathan in the audience, dressed in a sharp suit, her nerves steadied. His calm presence and focused gaze gave her a sense of reassurance.
After her speech ended and she started to walk off stage, Jonathan unexpectedly stepped onto the stage and took the microphone “As Ms. Johnston’s special guest…” he said. “She insisted that I perform a song to liven things up. So, here
Since when did I invite him to sing? Teresa thought. The crowd erupted into applause, far more enthusiastic than they’d been during Teresa’s speech.
first note, the room fell silent, captivated.
Jonathan started singing a few lines from a foreign song. As soon as he hit the fir Teresa couldn’t help but admit, despite herself, that his voice was mesmerizing
when Back when they were married, every holiday karaoke night was the same–Jonathan would either sit quietly or coaxed, draw a crowd from neighboring rooms with his singing. People would offer him cigarettes, calling him “a singing legend” in admiration.
When the final note faded, the room erupted into applause–louder than anything Teresa had gotten after her speech. A slight unease blossomed in her chest.
After the event, Teresa wandered the venue with a wine glass in hand, mingling with clients. By the time Jonathan approached, she had already had three glasses. His hand gently closed around her arm, and he guided her to a quieter
corner
Then, she shook off his grip and said coolly. “Thank you for sharing the spotlight, Mr. Lynn.”
She added, “Half the clients I spoke to mentioned you. Some even came just because of you. So, thanks! exhaled softly and turned to leave
to you” She
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