Chapter 723
Jonathan carried Michael in front, with Teresa trailing behind.
“Teresa, you’re here!” Hayden’s booming voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Teresa had already made up her mind on the way here. ‘Mike was conceived before the divorce. There’s no need to lie about it, she reminded herself.
But when she saw Hayden sitting in a wheelchair and heard him greet her first, Teresa’s eyes suddenly turned red. She called out, “Hello, Hayden.”
“Hello, Werner,” she greeted Werner, who was sitting beside Hayden.
“Come in. Let’s talk inside,” Hayden said, grinning from ear to ear as he wheeled himself forward, his eyes immediately locking onto Michael.
Once they reached the living room, Jonathan set Michael down on the floor. “Mike, this is Great–Grandpa. Say hi to him.”
“Great–Grandpa,” Michael called out in his sweet, childish voice. Teresa had already explained to him on the way that Hayden was Jonathan’s grandpa, so Hayden was actually Michael’s great–grandpa. Michael was a smart kid. He got it right
away.
“Hay, Mike,” Hayden said, holding Michael’s tiny hand, absolutely delighted. The more he looked at Michael, the more he liked him. He just couldn’t get enough of Michael.
“Mike, I’m Grandpa Werner,” Werner said, giving Michael a warm, appraising look.
“Hello, Grandpa Werner,” Michael replied, standing up straight and greeting Werner with perfect manners.
“What a well–behaved kid,” Werner said with a smile, glancing at Michael. ‘He really takes after Jonathan. Such an adorable little guy,‘ he thought.
While Hayden was showering his great–grandson with affection, Jonathan glanced around. “Where’s Mom?” he asked. Teresa was wondering the same thing. She hadn’t seen Irene anywhere.
“I gave her a call. She’s on her way,” Werner explained.
Just then, a car pulled up outside, and Donald and Cheryl arrived. As they got closer, Teresa noticed Jennifer was with
them as well.
Donald and Cheryl brought some gifts. “Sorry, we’re late,” Donald said.
Jonathan gave a slight nod, his expression cool.
“You’re all here,” Cheryl said, touching her nose as she greeted everyone one by one. She had come by herself. Donald had told her not to bring Serena on a day like this.
Hayden was over the moon about having a great–grandson, but there was no way he’d be happy about Cheryl being an unmarried girl who got pregnant. That kind of thing was hardly good news for the Lynn family.
Cheryl’s situation was nothing like Jonathan’s, especially since she didn’t even know who the father of her baby was.
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Chapter 723
Cheryl snapped out of her thoughts when she noticed Teresa fooking her way. She bit her lip and kept quiet
Teresa instantly understood that look. Cheryl wanted her to keep it a secret. Teresa wasn’t the type to blab anyway, Just then, her eyes landed on Jennifer, and she was honestly surprised to see Jennifer there,
Jennifer glanced back at Teresa, lips pressed together like she wanted to say something, but with Hayden right there, she stayed silent and just kept walking beside Donald.
“What’s up with you two? Why-” Werner walked over and shot a look at Donald and Cheryl, clearly about to question
them about their behavior.
But Jonathan quickly cut him off. It would be better not to bring up the DNA test in front of Michael.
Werner finally kept quiet.
“Mike,” Hayden said, still holding Michael’s hand with a big smile, “This is Uncle Donald, Aunt Cheryl, and Aunt Jennifer. You can call them whatever you like.”
“Uncle Donald, Aunt Cheryl–I know them! And Aunt Jennifer, too,” Michael called out, but after saying all the names, he looked a little dizzy. He ran over to Teresa and complained softly, “Mom, I’m suddenly so confused.”
Teresa gently patted Michael’s head. It was obvious to everyone that Michael was closest to her.
“Don’t worry about it. Just remember me. That’s enough,” Hayden said, his rough voice turning unbelievably gentle, as if he couldn’t spoil Michael enough.
Outside, another car pulled up. Irene had purposely shown up late. She knew Teresa would be there and just couldn’t stand the thought of waiting around for Teresa. That would be way too humiliating for her pride.
When Teresa saw Irene walk in, all puffed up and wearing that stern face, she took a deep breath. ‘Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later,‘ she told herself, clenching her fingers so hard it hurt.
She really didn’t want Michael to call a woman like Irene “Grandma.” The thought alone made her skin crawl.
“Mom,” Michael said, blinking up at Irene. “Is that Grandma? Should I call her Grandma?”
Teresa let out a long sigh and finally answered, “Yes, that’s Grandma.”
Michael ran over to Irene. “Grandma!” he called out, so happy. ‘Awesome, I’ve greeted everyone now,‘ he thought. When Irene smiled at him, he grinned back without a care in the world, and then dashed back to Teresa.
Michael tugged on Teresa’s hand. “Mom, I’ve finished greeting everyone! I’m starving. When are we eating?”
“You’re hungry, Mike? Let’s go eat at a restaurant right now,” Hayden said, almost wanting to jump out of his wheelchair, but his legs just wouldn’t work after the stroke.
“I’ll call the restaurant and have them deliver food. We’ll eat at home,” Jonathan said, already outside making the call,
As soon as Jonathan stepped out, Werner, looking stern, motioned for Donald and Cheryl to come over. He wanted a private word with them. Hayden also had some things to ask Donald and Cheryl, so he went along with Werner,
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Chapter 723
Once the coast was clear, Jennifer walked over to Teresa. She was just about to ask something when, from across the room, Irene suddenly called out, “Mike, come here!”
“Grandma, what is it?” Michael said as he ran over to Irene.
Teresa turned, her eyes full of caution as she looked in Irene’s direction.
Irene didn’t even spare Teresa a glance. She gave Michael a once–over from head to toe and said, “What a good boy. You’ve really been through a lot, but from now on, Mike, you’ll get to enjoy life.”
Michael looked up at her and said, “Grandma, I haven’t suffered at all. Mom treats me really well.”
Irene raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Well, Mike, isn’t it even better now that you’ll have both your dad and your grandma around?”
“Mike, come here,” Teresa called. Michael immediately ran over, and she pulled him into her arms, her gaze meeting Irene’s in silence.
Irene looked right back at Teresa. They were locked in a wordless contest of wills–neither spoke. Teresa could clearly see that flash of possessive anger in Irene’s eyes, the kind that made her feel Irene was just itching to take Michael away from
her.
“Should a grandma really be saying that to her grandson?” Jennifer spoke up.
Teresa shot Jennifer a glance, honestly surprised that Jennifer was taking her side.
Irene gave a cold laugh. “What, did I say something wrong? He’s my grandson. He belongs to the Lynn family. He carries our bloodline.”
“Lynn family? Mike is Teresa’s! Are you trying to steal him away or what?” Jennifer shot back, not bothering to sugarcoat it.
