Chapter 389

388
Teresal
ahowned , “ What are you insumbling about ? ”
Sanford rubbed a napkin between his fingers . “ Just thinking about my mom . She wasn’t exactly a knockout , but i for a totally blind man ”
“ Wait , your dad’s blind ? ” Teresa looked confused .
“ No. ” Sanford chuckled at her . “ I mean he was a scumbag , ”
Teresa nodded . “ So you take aher your dad ,
Sanford shot her a look . “ Do you know why my name is Sanford Thomas ? ”
“ I’m not your mom or dad , how would I know ? Teresa took a sip of water and then put some food on Isabel plate
By the end of the meal , Sanford agreed to help Teresa look after Isabel .
Teresa’s expression softened . “ I’ll go pay . This one’s on me
Sanford took Isabel from her arms . “ Alright , sure . ”
He played with the little girl in his arms . “ So your name’s Isabel , right ? Is it Isabel Lynn or Isabel Johnston
Isabel didn’t get it and just shook her head .
Sanford sighed , “ Poor kid , you really take after your grandma . What a shame . Your mom’s got such good
Isabel seemed to realize he was calling her ugly . She grabbed the spoon from the table and gave Sanford’s head a few solid taps .
By the time Teresa came back from paying , Isabel had already been completely won over by the chocolates and candy Sanford gave her. She waved at
Teresa and said . “ Bye . “”
Teresa said , “ Take good care of Isabel , if she gets even a scratch while I’m gone , you won’t have to worry about me . Jennifer will beat you up first . ”
Sanford nodded . “ Don’t worry . I’ll wait for you . But you have to promise to marry me , okay ? ”
Teresa didn’t answer . After she left , the photographer who’d been hiding nearby handed Sanford the photos from dinner .
Sanford looked through the pictures , picking out a few that didn’t show Isabel , just shots of him serving Teresa food or Teresa smiling at him . The photos could easily be misunderstood .
He told the photographer to drop the photos off anonymously at the Horiconlead Group reception , but to make sure to mention Teresa’s name to the
receptionist .
Honestly , he could have exposed isabel right then and there . But he remembered the promise he’d made to Jennifer . He wouldn’t do anything to hurt
heror Teresa
Sanford left with Isabel in his arms and made a call . “ Hey , Justin . It’s Sanford , I’m in Nareigh , Are you still working in DNA testing ” double . I need an urgent DNA test . ”
Then he put Teresa’s used coffee cup and a lock of Isabel’s hair in the trunk , and tested his friend
ne a favor . Il pay
“ I’m coming over now . Can you check if these two are related ? I don’t have time to pick up the test report , just mail it to me , ” said Sanford ,
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Benny spotted Teresa’s latest post on Facebook
Right before she boarded her flight , he commented , “ Off to Suica? I think Jonathan’s there too
Teresa nearly spit out her coffee when she saw that “ No way ” she thought
She messaged Benny privately , and he replied , “ I remember Jonathan went to Strica for work a couple of days ago . He’s probably around Strica Bay Where are you staying ? ”
“ Not in the same area
same area as him ,” Teresa replied . She was headed to Lunavale .
She was only planning to stay in Strico for about three days , but even after getting on the plane , her mind was a mess . Jonathan must be gone by now she kept telling herself
When he ich Narrigh , he’d said he was going to Archule to see Peter , his old boss before Horizonlead Group . Peter had worked in Stric before , so maybe Jonathan was just keeping Peter company , or maybe he had his own plans .
Teresa’s mind was spinning with all sorts of thoughts . The flight felt endless , and because of him , she just couldn’t settle down . She pulled a notebook from her bag and started writing
When she finally snapped out of it , she realized she’d filled an entire page with the name Jonathan , and had even doodled a few limes next to it .
After arriving at her destination , Teresa checked into the hotel for her business trip, sat down her suitcase , and got herself settled . She would meet her
client tomorrow .
So she had nothing on her plate tonight .
Normally , she’d just stay in , take a bath , and get some sleep . It was already past eight , after all .
But because of what Bonny said earlier , she just couldn’t calm down in the end , she decided to head out for a walk .
It was July , and everyone on the street was in short sleeves . As she wandered through unfamiliar roads , Teresa couldn’t help but laugh at herself , wondering , “ What exactly am i so restless about ?
‘ First off , there’s no way I’d run into Jonathan . Even if he’s still in Strico , it’s not like we’re in the same part of town . With so many people here , if we were really meant to meet , would we keep hurting each other like this ?
‘ The odds are basically zero ”
As she walked , Teresa somehow found herself inside a bar . She took a seat at the counter , asked for the menu , and ordered a cup of coffee .
The bartender blinked in surprise . “ Coffee ? Not in the mood for a drink ?”
“ I can’t handle alcohol , Teresa said , feeling a wave of frustration just thinking about it . “ Just coffee , please . ”
The bartender said , “ Sure thing , ma’am . One moment … ”
Behind her , as the lights flickered and shadows danced , a tall , striking figure sat in one of the sola booths .
The man was flanked by several women in fancy dresses . The one nearest him poured his drink , her eyes twinkling mischievously his chest . He frowned , leaned back , but let her continue pouring wine .
tried to touch
“ Mr. Lynn , you’re one of our boss’s VIPs . The boss told us to take good care of you . The manager said if you want anything extra , it’s on the house ,” one of the women said with a practiced smile
“ I’m going to the restroom , Jonathan said , his tall frame yeaying a bit as he stood up . One of the women tried to steady him , but he smoothly dodged her , keeping his distance without making scene of saying a mything rude .
All of a sudden , Teresa felt a chill run down her back . She spun around , but all she saw were people dancing
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She laughed at herself . She was definitely overthinking it . There was no way Jonathan would be here . He never liked noisy places . He always preferred somewhere quiet and a little romantic . It probably had something to do with those years he spent studying abronad
“ Why am I thinking about him again ? Teresa thought , knocking herself on the head . She calmed herself down , telling herself to stop
wander .
Suddenly , a heavy hand landed on her shoulder . Teresa tumed to see a greasy faced , overweight man , his fingers weighed down by a gold ring
“ Hey , gorgeous , you here alone ? Want some company for a drink ? ” he slamed .
“ Have you ever looked in the mirror ? ” Teresa almost blurted out but swallowed the words ‘ What if this gory is as petty and sleary as the principal in Everport ? ”
“ Sorry , I need to use the restroom , Teresa said , getting up from her seat .