Chapter 530
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Irene felt the resemblance she saw from Sanford wasn’t with Yorick . It was just an inexplicable sense of familiarity .
Facing Irene’s assessing gaze , Sanford remained composed . He said , “ We’ve met before , at Jennifer’s wedding . You were at the head table . I’m Jennifer’s friend , and I even performed a song for her . ”
Irene gasped sharply . She exclaimed , “ You’re Jennifer’s friend ? I knew it . Not a single one of those Johnstons is any good . Now I see , be a scheme . ”
Jonathan frowned and snapped , “ Enough . What does this have to do with the Johnstons ? ”
this is a trap , it must
Noticing Jonathan’s protectiveness over Teresa , Irene immediately dropped the subject . She knew it wasn’t the time to hold Jennifer or Teresa accountable anyway .
Sanford said coldly , “ Scheme or no scheme , you’ll know once I take you to see my mother .”
But when it came time to meet Liora , Irene got cold feet . At the hospital entrance , she inhaled sharply , her eyes darting nervously . “ I’m not going in to see
her , ” she blurted .
“ Since you’re already here , why not go in ? Should the wife be afraid of the mistress ? ” Jonathan retorted .
“ That’s because … ” Irene began , but her words caught in her throat again . It seemed she was harboring an unspeakable burden , a secret she could never let Jonathan know .
Jonathan stared intently at Irene for a few seconds , then said after a pause , “ What else are you hiding from me ? If you don’t tell me , I can’t resolve this . ”
Irene stammered , “ I’m not hiding anything . Liora is just the mistress . That’s the plain truth . ”
Jonathan said firmly , “ Then go see her . Whatever needs to be said , say it face to face and get everything out in the open between you two . ”
The instant Irene pushed open the door to Liora’s ward , Liora’s eyes met hers . Their eyes locked in a silent confrontation . It was as if the floodgates of time had burst open .
It had been years since they last met , each of their faces now bearing the distinct marks of time . At this unexpected reunion , emotions surged uncontrollably between them .
Liora was the first to look away , unwilling to see Irene , yet seemingly unable to face her either .
Irene saw Liora’s frail appearance and sneered inwardly , ‘ Still putting on that same old innocent act , just like before . Being weak doesn’t make you right . ”
She strode forward aggressively and snapped , “ Liora , it’s you . I can’t believe it . Even after all these years , you still had to stab me in the back .
“ You were the one who left back then , who promised never to return to Nareigh , and who voluntarily gave me those 3 million dollars .
“ And now your son has twisted the story , making it sound like our family is ungrateful and heartless , even accusing me of extorting money from you .
“ How can you face your own conscience , Liora ? No wonder you developed that heart condition . ”
Sanford snapped , “ You show some respect to my mother . It was Yorick who abandoned my mother and me first . Otherwise , how could she have ended up like this ? ”
Irene shot back , “ Stop listening to your mother’s lies and twisting the truth . Why don’t you ask that woman in bed yourself ? Who was the lawful wife , ” who was the mistress , and who ruined whose marriage ? ”
Sanford retorted , “ Back then , my mother was the heiress of Onlyora Group , wealthy and influential . Why would she ever stoop to being a mistress ? ”
Liora’s frail voice finally broke through from the hospital bed . She said , “ Enough , Sanford . ” After a long silence , she continued , “ Irene is right about
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everything . I was the one who came between them first . ”
AD