Chapter 255

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Irene still had that photo of Jonathan with a stranger saved on her phone . She sent it to him and warned , “ You need to watch yourself . Do you even know who that person is ? For all you know , they could be criminals ! ”
Jonathan glanced at the photo and suddenly pieced it together . “ You showed this photo to Teresa , didn’t you ? ”
“ I was just looking out for you . If this photo gets out , people will say the CEO of Horizonlead Group is cozying up to criminals . And what if they twist the story and claim you’re one of them? ” Irene’s tone was sharp and accusatory .
Jonathan flicked the photo onto the table , his long fingers tapping lightly on the surface . “ You think a photo like this can shake me ? If I let something so trivial affect me , I wouldn’t have made it this far . ”
But Irene wasn’t done . Her voice grew harsher , her frustration spilling over . “ It’s all Teresa’s fault . Ever since you got involved with her , your life’s been a mess . Look at how much better you’ve done since you left her behind . ”
“ Enough ,” Jonathan leaned forward , his gaze locking onto Irene’s with icy precision . “ I ‘ Il ask you one thing . Did you use this photo to threaten her ? ”
Irene’s gaze flickered as she tried to avoid Jonathan’s eyes . When he kept pressing her , she finally snapped , “ She left on her own . It has nothing to do with me . ”
Jonathan’s tone sharpened . “ What I’m asking is , did you take this photo to her ? Did you say things like , ‘ She ruined me ‘ or ‘ She’s been dragging me down ‘ ? ”
Irene pressed her lips together , her silence confirming Jonathan’s suspicions . His brows furrowed deeply .
“ Why did you go to her ? I’ve told you before , my relationship with her is none of your business . You’re not her mother – in – law anymore , so you shouldn’t have gone . ”
“ But I’m your mother ! ” Irene shot back . “ I don’t know who sent me this photo . They said they’d expose you , and I panicked . I was scared it’d ruin your reputation , so I went to Teresa . I don’t want her dragging you down anymore . ”
“ She’s never dragged me down , ” Jonathan said firmly .
“ Really ? Hasn’t she caused you enough trouble already ? ” Irene retorted , her eyes full of disdain for Teresa .
Jonathan’s clenched fists loosened weakly . “ You’re my mother , the one who raised me , and she’s the woman I love most . You’re both the most important people in my life . Why can’t you accept her ? ”
Successfully unlocked !
“ What’s so great about her ? I just can’t stand her ! I don’t want a daughter – in – law like her , ” Irene cried , hitting Jonathan’s chest repeatedly . “ I worked so hard to pull you out of that mess , and now you’re throwing yourself back in . ”
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“ I’ve always been clear about what I want ,” Jonathan thought , his determination . solidifying . He finally had the reason he needed to go to Fernlandia and find Teresa . He reached out to Miriam for Teresa’s exact location .
The sprawling landscapes of Fernlandia stretched out endlessly as Jonathan’s car pulled up to the villa where Teresa had been staying . He had traveled all this find her , but the person who greeted him at the door was Evelyn .
Evelyn raised an eyebrow . “ Jonathan , what brings you here ? ”
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Jonathan gave a slight nod , though his gaze couldn’t help but dart past Evelyn , searching for any sign of Teresa . “ Evelyn , sorry to bother you . I’m here to see Teresa .”
Evelyn’s brows furrowed slightly , her tone turning cold . “ Teresa isn’t here . ”
Jonathan’s voice remained respectful , though there was a hint of urgency . “ I just need to say a few words to her . There’s something I need to explain . ”
“ She’s really not here . I’m not trying to stop you ,” Evelyn replied , her voice tinged with exasperation . “ We had an argument , and she left . I have no idea where she went . That stubborn girl refused to tell me anything . ”
Seeing the doubt in Jonathan’s expression , Evelyn stepped aside , gesturing for him to come in . “ If you don’t believe me , feel free to look for yourself . ”
Jonathan stepped inside , his eyes scanning the room . There was no sign of Teresa . He made his way to her room , only to find it empty . His gaze swept over every corner , searching desperately for any clue she might have left behind .
Jonathan had been trying to call Teresa , but her phone had been unreachable for a long time . It wasn’t just him . Evelyn hadn’t been able to get through to her either .
Jonathan’s worry was written all over his face . “ She’s not here anymore , and she doesn ‘ t have anywhere else to go . Where could she be staying ? ”
“ Maybe she went back to Rosary Estates . That’s the only house she owns ,” Evelyn said , her tone uncertain .
Seeing no other leads , Jonathan prepared to leave . Evelyn stopped him and said , “ If you see her at Rosary Estates , let her know I’m worried . It would give me some peace of mind .”
Jonathan nodded in agreement , his gaze briefly falling on the little girl sitting on the sofa , wearing a diaper and clutching a stuffed doll . That must be Isabel , Teresa’s little sister .
The toddler , barely a year old , let out cheerful babble as she played with her doll . Evelyn walked over , picked Isabel up , and gently cradled her before stepping outside to see Jonathan off .
Before leaving , Jonathan turned back and said , “ Teresa loves you deeply . Whenever you were in the hospital , she was always the one who worried the most . ” With that , he finally departed .
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Jonathan was restless on the flight back , his thoughts tangled in worry . He wondered if Teresa had returned to Rosary Estates . If she had , she would have told Miriam .
The moment he landed , he rushed to Rosary Estates , holding onto a sliver of hope . But when he arrived , there was no sign of Teresa . That faint hope quickly turned into unease and anxiety .
Jonathan couldn’t stop worrying about Teresa’s living situation . After their divorce , he had offered her the house in Luviston Estates , but she turned it down . That left her with only the house her grandparents had left her .
Jonathan reached out to Miriam , who was just as concerned . “ Teresa left Fernlandia ? She didn’t even tell me , her best friend ? ” Miriam said , disbelief written all over her face .
Miriam tried contacting Teresa but couldn’t get through . “ Oh , wait . She sent me a message a few days ago , ” Miriam said .
[ Miriam , I’ll need you to handle the company matters for me . The signal here isn’t great , so if you need anything , just email me . I’ll reply as soon as I see it . Don’t worry about me . I’m doing fine . ]
After reading the message , Jonathan asked Miriam for Teresa’s email address . “ If she contacts you , let me know . It’ll help me keep track of things , ” he said .
“ Alright , I will , ” Miriam replied .
Jonathan logged into his email and composed a message to Teresa .
[ Where are you ? Do you have enough money ? Stop being so stubborn and come back to Nareigh . I know my mom approached you before you left and tried to threaten you . It won’t affect me in any way . Please don’t let it weigh on you . ]
He didn’t sign the email with his full name , leaving only the letter “ J ” as the sender . After hitting send , the email showed as delivered. Yet , by the end of the day , Jonathan still hadn’t received a reply from Teresa .
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