Chapter 687
Donald admitted with a heavy heart , “ Jennifer switched the samples when I wasn’t looking . ”
Jonathan narrowed his eyes and asked , “ Jennifer ? ”
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Donald sighed and said , “ Well , I’m still not sure if Teresa pressured Jennifer into this . But Jennifer did swap last year’s DNA test results , leading to your misunderstanding all this time . I sincerely apologize on her behalf . ”
Jonathan’s lips curled into a mock smirk . He thought , ‘ A simple apology , and they expected me to just forgive and forget ? I let those minor offenses slide before .
‘ I helped Teresa’s family get promoted , pulling strings behind the scenes for Jennifer’s promotion . And this is how they repay me ? ‘
Jonathan fixed Donald with a probing stare and asked , “ You’ve had no idea all this time ? ”
Donald nodded . Seeing the suspicion in Jonathan’s eyes , he knew that Jonathan wouldn’t trust anyone now . He explained , “ I truly had no idea about any of this until Mike was hospitalized that day .
“ When I saw his name , I grew suspicious . Behind Jennifer’s back , I secretly ran a DNA test . The moment the results confirmed Mike was your son , I came straight to tell you . ”
Jonathan paused for a moment . He thought , ‘ I’ve done more than one DNA test with Mike before . What happened to those
results ? ‘
He averted his gaze . Deep within his eyes , an impenetrable wall had risen – one that seemed to allow no one but him inside . He said , “ Call Cheryl . Tell her to come back immediately . ”
Donald asked in surprise , “ Why do you want me to call Cheryl ? Does she know about the truth , too ? ”
“ I’ll settle every single score , ” Jonathan said coldly , his glacial gaze unwavering as he strode out . Then he made another
call .
The moment the call connected , Jonathan declared , “ Mike is my son . ”
Silence lingered on the other end , broken only by Christian’s sharp intake of breath .
Jonathan repeated , “ Mike is my son . Not yours . ”
Christian knew full well that Jonathan had uncovered the truth . He took another deep breath and said , “ Yes , Mr. Lynn . ”
Jonathan said , “ Start thinking of an excuse , Christian . Everyone who hid this from me – none of them will get away with
it . ”
Christian’s heart sank . He thought , ‘ I’m done for . Everyone who concealed Michael’s identity – we’re all finished . ‘
Jonathan ended the call with icy finality . From that moment on , it was as if he had become a completely different person .
He thought , ‘ All the people I trusted in this world – my family , my lover – they’ve been playing me for a fool . A glacial chill deepened in his gaze .
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Barred from entering the airport for causing a public disturbance , Gary simply plopped down on the ground , letting the night breeze wash over him .
He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of relief . He no longer had to worry about Michael turning out like he once did .
Gary believed that even if Jonathan were to hold everyone accountable , Michael would be the only one Jonathan would
ever spare .
He thought , ‘ Mike is innocent . He longs for his father . He has the right to know who his father is – and Jonathan has the right to know his son , too . ‘
After settling Liora’s funeral and arriving in Nareigh , today was the first time Gary truly felt at peace – until a towering figure cast its shadow over him .
“ Give me the car keys , ” Jonathan said flatly .
Gary fished the car keys from his pocket and handed them to Jonathan . He asked , “ Jonathan , why don’t you look happy ? ”
Jonathan’s gaze turned glacial as he countered Gary , “ You’ve known about this all along . Why wait until today to tell me ? Did Teresa tell you to keep quiet ? ”
Gary replied , “ No , it’s not like that . This has nothing to do with Teresa . I decided on my own to get the DNA test . I knew you’d only believe me if I showed you proof – without it , you wouldn’t have trusted me . ”
Jonathan remained silent . He could tell Gary was still hiding something , and he wondered who Gary was trying to protect .
He averted his gaze and said , “ Unlike those who kept this from me , at least you chose to tell me . I’ll let you off – for now . ” With that , he drove off without another word , his face an unreadable mask .
Gary frowned . He realized Jonathan was consumed by both anger and betrayal . He pulled out his phone , about to contact Teresa , then thought better of it . He believed that Jonathan wouldn’t hurt Teresa
anyway .
At Rosary Estates , Teresa kept checking the time – 6 : 30 already , but Jennifer still hadn’t returned . She thought , ‘ I have to leave with Mike now ; the plane won’t wait . If we reschedule , we might miss the chance altogether . ‘
Rosary Estates held countless memories for Teresa . Since Michael was born , she had lived here alone with Michael . In her bedroom , the letter she had left for Jonathan still lay on the table .
She took one last look around . The bracelet Jonathan had given her – her most cherished keepsake – rested quietly atop the letter she had left for him .
She thought , ‘ It’s time to go . There’s nothing left to hold me back . ‘
That rainy afternoon , seeing Michael still asleep , Teresa found herself inexplicably driving to Horizonlead Group . She didn’t know why she just needed one last distant glimpse of Jonathan .
She thought , ‘ Goodbye , Jonathan . This time , maybe it is goodbye for good . ‘
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Teresa called out , “ Michael , it’s time for us to go . ”
Michael replied , “ But Jennifer isn’t back yet . She still has your car . ”
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Teresa said , “ Jennifer went to see Donald . She must have gotten caught up talking with him and can’t make it back right now . I tried calling her , but she isn’t picking up my calls either , so we’ll just have to go ahead without her . ”
Michael nodded , holding Teresa’s hand . He asked , “ Mommy , should we call a cab ? ”
Teresa replied , “ Let’s just grab a cab once we’re downstairs . ”
Michael nodded again , still wearing the T – shirt printed with Jonathan’s autograph .
When Teresa was hiding with Michael in Everport , she snuck him a T – shirt autographed by Jonathan . Michael cherished the T – shirt and even brought it back to Nareigh.-
Earlier that day , he dug it out and insisted on wearing it , so Teresa indulged him .
Teresa thought , ‘ It doesn’t matter whether he wears it or not – Jonathan will never know anyway . ‘
Teresa shut off all the power in the house , changed into her shoes at the entryway , and prepared to leave . She wheeled
the suitcase to the door and was just about to close it .
Just then , the elevator across the hall chimed as its doors slid open .
Teresa casually glanced over and froze at the sight of Jonathan in the elevator . She stood rooted to the spot , utterly
stunned .
Jonathan emerged from the elevator , slow and deliberate . With a slight lift of his thin eyelids , he fixed Teresa with a piercing stare . His deep – set eyes radiated a stormy , oppressive intensity , like thunderclouds pressing down .
Teresa felt that at that moment , Jonathan seemed like a completely different person . His expression was cold and
accusing , his gaze demanding answers from her .
Teresa felt a chill running through her entire body . She realized something . Instinctively , she clutched Michael’s hand tightly and began to retreat backward with a hint of fear .
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