Chapter 622

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“ No , Jonathan , I still can’t accept it. ” Sanford looked Jonathan in the eye and puthed the fund transfer agreement back to be
“ Don’t worry . As for your mother poisoning mine back then , I’ll respect my mother’s wishes . If the chooses to remainders,
either . ”
Jonathan raised an eyebrow and shot back at Sanford , “ You think I’m giving you money to silence your
“ Isn’t that right ? ” Sanford’s lips quirked up in a faint smirk . “ But I get it . You just don’t want to owe us anything , ”
Jonathan stared at Sanford in silence .
“ Honestly , I think your mom is truly blessed , ” Sanford said with genuine emotion . “ She has a devoted husband and a dutiful son like you . ”
“ You’re also a dutiful and responsible son , ” Jonathan said sincerely .
Sanford’s eyes welled up again .
The next second , Jonathan said with a half – joking smile , “ Good thing I didn’t have you locked up back then . Otherwise , that would’ve been on me . ”
Jonathan poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Sanford . “ It’s my fault . If I’d been more vigilant and noticed Werner’s suspicious behavior earlier . maybe we could’ve uncovered the truth you were looking for sooner .
“ Or I should’ve pressured my mom to tell me what really happened back then , and then you wouldn’t have had to agonize over this for so long ”
Sanford remained silent . The next moment , he suddenly shot to his feet . “ No , I’m the one who should be apologizing ! ” Without warning he bowed deeply before Jonathan .
“ All this misfortune started with my mother . It’s my fault for not uncovering the truth sooner , for wrongly assuming Yorick was my father , and for believing he was the kind of man who’d abandon his wife and child .
“ This time , I wholeheartedly apologize to you . I’m so sorry . I was wrong . You’ve completely won me over , ” he added .
“ Enough , ” Jonathan commanded in a low voice , stepping forward to make Sanford straighten up .
But Sanford refused to straighten .
Seeing Sanford’s posture – his torso bent at a perfect 90 – degree angle in deep contrition – Jonathan was caught between laughter and exasperation . “ Then should I bow to you too ? It’s true that my mom really did have homicidal intentions . ”
Sanford pursed his lips , then finally stood upright . There was no way he could let Jonathan lower his head before him . “ If my mom hadn’t tried to come between your parents , your mom wouldn’t have harbored murderous intent . ”
“ Enough . ” Jonathan raised a hand and gave Sanford’s shoulder a firm pat .
Jonathan said earnestly , “ Let’s keep things separate . Take this 3 million as compensation for all the suffering you’ve endured . Even if you’re not my biological brother , you’re completely innocent in this whole mess . ”
Sanford gave Jonathan a faint smile . “ You’re innocent too , Jonathan . ”
Jonathan narrowed his eyes . His mind raced .
Sanford added , “ Jonathan , I really appreciate your kindness , but I truly can’t accept this money . Please don’t make this harder for me , okay ? ”
Jonathan’s gaze grew inscrutable . He and Sanford were now good buddies . He sat back down in his chair . “ Don’t worry . 10 million dollars is nothing to me , just a few cars ‘ worth . ”
1817 Thu , 24 JULY
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“ Yeah , you’re loaded , and you’re the man , but your money didn’t just fall from the sky . I know you built all this from scratch without any backing . That couldn’t have been easy ”
Jonathan took a sip of his coffee , his thin lips curving into a subtle smile . “ Actually , I’m just doing what my father should have done . ”
Sanford froze for a moment , his gaze locking onto Jonathan .
“ If my father were still alive , ” Jonathan said , “ he would never have approved of my mother accepting payment from yours . So please , don’t let it weigh on you . This money rightfully belongs to you . ”
Sanford’s eyes reddened again . Ultimately , Sanford and Jonathan reached an agreement . Sanford accepted the money .
It felt as though the 3 million had finally found its way back to the Thomas family after all these years . And with this payment , Yorick no longer owed Liora anything .
Sanford signed his name on the revised 3 – million – dollar gift agreement . He reached out his hand to Jonathan , his voice sincere and a little choked . “ Thank you .”
Jonathan reached out and clasped Sanford’s hand in a firm shake . At that moment , all past grievances between them melted away .
Sanford gazed at Jonathan , whose calm , steady eyes and composed demeanor stood out . Suddenly , the image of a small figure bearing a striking resemblance to Jonathan flashed through his mind . “ Jonathan , actually– “ .
But before he could finish , his phone rang . “ Hello ? This is Sanford . What ? ” Sanford’s face instantly drained of color , and without another word , he bolted out the door .
At the hospital , Sanford arrived together with Jonathan in Jonathan’s car . He sprinted toward the ICU ward .
Irene stepped out of Liora’s hospital room and immediately spotted Sanford , with Jonathan following close behind .
She hastily explained , “ Liora asked to meet me again today . I didn’t know what she wanted to say . Before she even had the chance , she suddenly coughed up blood . I rushed her to the hospital immediately . ”
Afraid that Sanford wouldn’t believe her and even more terrified that Jonathan wouldn’t , Irene pleaded , “ I’m telling the truth . Her coughing up blood had nothing to do with me . If it were me , I wouldn’t rush her to the hospital . ”
Jonathan raised a hand . Irene immediately fell silent .
Beside the hospital bed , Sanford clutched Liora’s hand tightly . “ Mom ! ” he cried out , his voice trembling with desperation .
He’d known since returning to Nareigh that his mother , Liora , didn’t have much time left . He never thought this day would come so soon .
Liora gently stroked Sanford’s face . “ My dear boy , don’t cry . You see how much I’ve suffered all these years . With my failing heart , every time the pain flares up , I have to take medication . Perhaps God is granting me release now . ”
With that , her gaze drifted past Sanford and settled on Irene .
“ Irene , I want to tell you that Yorick never did anything to wrong you . I know I did a lot of things that caused misunderstandings between you two . That was all my fault . Yorick … he truly loved you , with all his heart . ”
Irene’s eyes instantly welled up , her eyelids trembling as she spun around and clenched her fists . “ I need to use the restroom . ”
After Irene left , Sanford collapsed to his knees by the bed , clutching Liora’s ice – cold hand as he sobbed uncontrollabl
Liora gently stroked Sanford’s hair , her gaze then shifting to Jonathan . “ Jonathan , I’m sorry for all the misunderstandings and pain . Neither you nor Sanford is at fault . Please , don’t hold Sanford’s past immature actions against him , okay ? ”
Jonathan was silent for a beat . And then he nodded .
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“ Thank you , Jonathan . ” Liora finally turned her gaze back to Sanford .
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