Chapter 423

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Donald paused for a couple of seconds . “ Jonathan , we grew up together – we’re basically brothers . How could I ever lie to you ? ”
Jonathan smirked and tapped his cup against Donald’s . “ We are brothers . No need for the ‘ basically ‘ part . ”
“ My language skills are nowhere near yours , Mr. Genius . If you’re not busy tonight , let me treat you to dinner . ”
“ No need . I’ve already eaten , ” Jonathan replied .
Donald didn’t stick around any longer .
After Donald left , Jonathan sat alone in his villa for a long time . He stared at Teresa’s name on the medical report , his eyes growing deep ..
He was lost in thought when his phone suddenly rang . Seeing Teresa’s name on the screen , he raised an eyebrow and answered slowly .
“ It’s me . Do you have a minute ? I want to see you – just the two of us ,” Teresa said .
Jonathan paused for a moment and replied , “ Come find me at Forlisle Rose Estates . ”
Teresa sat across from Jonathan . She spotted the medical report on the table – it had her name on it .
. Jonathan said , “ Jennifer did the checkup , and Donald brought over the report . Since you’re not pregnant , I’ll keep my promise . I’ll leave Nareigh and
won’t bother you anymore . ”
Teresa looked down , avoiding Jonathan’s gaze . Her hands clenched tightly on her knees . “ I’m here to apologize .”
Jonathan frowned , staring at her . “ What is it this time ? ”
O
Teresa said , “ Why didn’t you tell me you gave my mom 2.6 million dollars ? She never said a word until the money was gone .”
Jonathan pressed his lips into a thin line , silent .
Teresa’s face turned serious . “ I’m not here to blame you for giving her the money . Either way, I’ll pay you back . ”
Jonathan noticed the tears welling up in her eyes and fought the urge to pull her close . “ Forget it . You don’t need to pay me back . I’m not hard up for
cash . ”
“ That’s not right . Whether it was starting the company or when I stayed at Everport , you’ve helped me so much . I already owe you a lot . I have to pay you
back the 2.6 million . ”
Jonathan shot back , “ And where are you going to get the money ? Didn’t you give it all to Sanford ? ”
Teresa finally explained the misunderstanding . Her company had cash flow issues , and she’d planned to get a bank loan . But Sanford offered her money at a lower interest rate than the bank , so she agreed .
“ Never heard of ‘ penny wise , pound foolish ‘ ? You’re being naive , ” Jonathan said , a sharp edge to his voice .
Teresa explained , “ He offered to lend me the money . It’s not like he’d just run off . ”
Jonathan let out a slow breath . “ My 2.6 million his 600 grand … How long do you think it’ll take you to pay back ? ”
Teresa gritted her teeth . “ I’ll pay you back within three years . I promise . ”
Jonathan saw the stubbornness in her eyes and looked away , rubbing his forehead . “ How about I lend you 600 grand ? Pay Sanford back now , before he decides to jack up the interest and you’re stuck . ”
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No , I can’t take your money . ”
“ I’m lending it to you . Better to owe one person than two , right ? ”
Teresa finally understood what Jonathan meant – if she paid Sanford back , she’d only owe Jonathan . “ Okay , let’s do it your way ?
Teresa took the 600 grand from Jonathan and immediately transferred it to Sanford , clearing her debt with him in one go .
Jonathan looked at her intently . “ From now on , you only owe me . If you ever run into trouble , come to me first – I don’t like seeing you owe anyone else
Teresa was quiet for a few seconds . “ I’ll write you an IOU . Come by my office tomorrow and we’ll talk it over , okay ? ”
“ Okay , ” Jonathan replied .
Having said her piece , Teresa turned to leave .
Jonathan asked , “ Have you eaten ? I haven’t yet .”
“ I already have . I’ll head back now , ” Teresa said . She had driven here , so she could easily drive herself home .
The next day , Jonathan visited Teresouth Group to see Teresa . She came down to meet him personally , drawing the attention of all the employees . As soon as they stepped into the elevator , the receptionists began whispering .
“ What’s going on between Ms. Johnston and Mr. Lynn ? ”
“ Do you guys remember that time Ms. Johnston went on a business trip to Everport and didn’t come back that night ? I heard when Linda called her , it was Mr. Lynn who answered the phone . ”
“ Could they be secretly dating ? ”
Teresa led Jonathan into her office and gestured for him to sit . “ I had our company lawyer draft a mortgage contract . Take a look , ” she said , handing it
over .
Jonathan’s brows knit together as he took the contract , and then his frown deepened . “ What’s this ? You’re putting Teresouth Group up as collateral ? ”
“ I’ve thought it through . If I can’t pay you back within three years , then Teresouth Group will go to your company to settle the debt ,” Teresa replied .
Jonathan quickly did the math for her – paying back 3.2 million in three years meant over a million a year . With Teresouth Group’s current annual revenue , Teresa would have to embezzle company funds to pull it off .
“ Don’t underestimate me . If I tighten my belt and cut out unnecessary expenses , I can pay you back in three years . Worst case , I’ll just sell a few more bags , or even my car and house ,” Teresa insisted .
Jonathan took a sip of coffee . “ I’ll pretend you’re joking . I’m not such a jerk that I’d make my ex – wife sell her car and house and end up homeless , ” he
said .
Teresa shrugged . “ A debt’s a debt . ”
Jonathan’s gaze grew deep . “ We were married , Teresa . You don’t have to keep such strict accounts between us . ”
But the truth was , it was Evelyn who squandered all that money , and Teresa just couldn’t turn a blind eye .
Jonathan set down his cup . “ If you work with me , I’ll help you make that 3.2 million back in a year , ” he offered .
Teresa cleared her throat . “ You wanna keep me on a leash ? Nah , forget it .”
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Jonathan leaned back in his chair . “ I really do care about you , but you won’t remarry me . Now you think I want to keep you as my mistress ? ”
“ Then what are you getting at ? ”
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“ There’s a business association in Shaville . If you’re interested , I can take you . There’ll be plenty of local and international investors – great for expanding your client base , ” Jonathan said .
On her own , Teresa didn’t have the net worth to get into such a high – profile association . But with Jonathan by her side , she’d have no trouble getting in
at all .
Teresa sighed helplessly . “ How many favors am I going to end up owing you ? ”
“ It’s just the rich helping out the not – so – rich – gotta work toward common prosperity , right ? ”
That made Teresa laugh .
Jonathan noticed Teresa seemed less stressed than yesterday and felt relieved . “ I should get going . I’ve got stuff to take care of at the office , ” he said , leaving the collateral contract on her desk .
Teresa offered to walk him out , and he didn’t turn her down .
She watched Jonathan get in his car and drive away . Only then did she return to her office . Glancing at the calendar , she noticed Michael’s birthday was approaching . Once again , she felt lost – how could she ask Jonathan to spend the day with their son ?
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