Chapter 318

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From Teresa’s angle , she couldn’t see Michael’s face . She could only see Jonathan holding him , locking eyes with her .
Just as Teresa was about to step forward , Sherry beat her to it , hurrying over to Jonathan to take Michael . But Michael clung tightly to Jonathan , refusing to let go .
Jonathan told Sherry he’d calm Michael down first , and then he walked off to the side , gently pacing as he patted Michael’s shoulder . In less than a minute , Michael was fast asleep on Jonathan’s shoulder .
With a blank expression , Jonathan walked past Teresa and carefully handed Michael over to Sherry , moving as gently as possible so he wouldn’t wake Michael .
Sherry took Michael and apologized , “ Sorry for the trouble , Mr. Lynn . Michael must’ve been a handful . And thank you for signing his shirt . He was so happy , ” she added smoothly .
But Jonathan’s eyes were fixed on Teresa .
Sherry was about to turn and leave when Benny’s car pulled up , blocking her way .
Benny hopped out , acting clueless . “ Hey , Jonathan ! What are you doing here ? Wow , you and Teresa running into each other . Talk about fate ! ”
Teresa gave Benny a hard kick and said , disappointed , “ That’s it , Benny . We’re done . From now on , we’re not even classmates , let alone friends . ”
“ Come on , I really didn’t tip Jonathan off . He wouldn’t let it go until I told him where you were , right , Jonathan ? ” Benny shot Jonathan a lock .
But Jonathan didn’t even glance at him , just kept staring at Teresa . Seeing the resistance in her eyes , he finally said , “ I’m not here for you . I’m here to welcome Benny . Otherwise , why would I bother ? ”
Teresa just said , “ Oh . I wasn’t planning to talk to you either . Go ahead and welcome Benny . My friend and I are heading back . ”
Benny frowned , thinking , ‘ What happened between these two ? Why are they acting like this ? ‘ He stepped in , trying to play peacemaker . “ How about ! treat you both to dinner ? ”
Sherry quickly said , “ Uh , I’ll just take Michael home . We don’t want to get in the way . ”
But Benny wouldn’t let Sherry leave . “ Come on , stay . Sherry , you know all the good spots in Everport . Give us some recommendations . My treat . ”
Sherry glanced at Teresa , asking with her eyes what to do .
Teresa stayed calm . “ No thanks , my friend has things to do , and I’m busy too . ” She put her arm around Sherry . “ Let’s go . ”
“ We’re leaving too , ” Jonathan said to Benny .
Benny didn’t know what to say .
Teresa had already helped Sherry into the car and told her to drive . The more tense things got , the calmer she acted . She was used to this .
Benny still wouldn’t give up . He blocked Teresa at the passenger door . “ Hey , don’t be like that . You’re already here , just stay for a meal . ”
Teresa shot back , “ Didn’t Jonathan invite you ? You two go eat . I don’t know either of you . ”
Benny sighed , “ Look , I really didn’t mean to tip him off . At least give me your number , okay ? I’ll call you next time and treat you myself . ” Teresa didn’t want to give Benny her current number , but if she didn’t , he probably wouldn’t let her leave . She had no choice but to give it to him .
Benny still lingered , giving Sherry a meaningful look , then glancing at Michael , who was asleep in the backseat . “ Wow , the kid’s dressed pretty sharp . Honestly , his outfit costs more than mine . ”
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Sherry panicked a little . She couldn’t possibly afford designer clothes for Michael , and instinctively looked at Teresa .
Teresa noticed Sherry’s glance , and she was sure Benny had picked up on it too . Actually , she’d bought those clothes for Michael back when she was in Ferlandia , and they just happened to put them on him today .
She spoke up , “ I bought those for him . Is that a problem ? ”
Benny had already guessed the kid’s clothes were out of Sherry’s league . Since Teresa said she bought them , he let it go . “ Alright , just asking , l’Il call you
later . ”
Teresa drove off ..
Jonathan pulled up right in front of Benny and asked , “ You coming or not ? If not , I’m out . ”
Benny hopped into Jonathan’s car . He’d already called his assistant to deal with his own ride . Only then did he grumble , “ Man , I went through all that trouble to keep Teresa , and you just let her go . We could’ve had a nice dinner together . ”
Jonathan’s face darkened . “ Did you see the way she looked at me ? Like she couldn’t stand me . I shouldn’t have even come . ”
Benny said , “ What’s really going on with you two ? Wait , I get it now . You knew Teresa was here all along , didn’t you ? She must’ve told you not to tell anyone she was in Everport , right ? ”
Jonathan didn’t deny it . He really hadn’t told anyone Teresa was in Everport . If Benny hadn’t called today saying he’d seen her , Jonathan wouldn’t have said a word . “ She’s seeing someone else here . ”
Benny shot him a look . “ For real ? Don’t mess
with me . ”
“ Yeah . ”
Benny frowned . If Teresa found a boyfriend here , that would explain why she refused to go back to Nareigh . She’d got a guy now , so of course she didn’t want to leave , and she’d even stopped talking to her friends .
As for Michael , Benny didn’t doubt anything . Because Sherry was with him and it wasn’t surprising that Teresa would buy him those designer clothes .
It all seemed to add up , but there was one thing Benny just couldn’t figure out . Every time he saw Michael , he couldn’t help but think he looked a lot like Jonathan .
Even today , the resemblance was uncanny . Their personalities were nothing alike , but their faces were . Benny thought he was just imagining things .
Benny snapped back to reality . “ So why are you still hanging around Everport ? If Teresa’s already got someone , just head back to Nareigh . ”
Jonathan kept his head down , flipping through some files . “ I’ll go back once I finish up with the branch office . ” He knew Benny didn’t believe him .
Benny asked , “ So , what’s her new boyfriend like ? Got a picture ? Let me see if he’s actually better looking than you .”
Jonathan replied coolly , “ Didn’t get a good look. Only met him once . He’s not tall , drives a BMW X3 . ”
Benny let out a noise of disbelief . “ Come on , any car in your garage could blow his away . What does Teresa see in a guy like that ? Why’s she staying here ? ”