Chapter 432

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Jennifer stared at Teresa , finally noticing the bracelet on her wrist . She frowned , “ When did you get that bracelet ? Looks fine – how much did it set you back ? ”
Teresa scoffed , “ It’s not like you paid for it . ”
Jennifer pressed her lips together , remembering the other deputy director in her department , who always bragged about the bracelet her husband bought her for over 30 thousand .
Looking at Teresa’s bracelet , which was nicer than her colleague’s , Jennifer pretty much figured it out . “ Your ex gave it to you , didn’t he ? So , just because he gave you a bracelet , you’re ready to throw away your peaceful life and tell him everything ? ”
Teresa shot back , “ So what do you want me to do ? Mike needs his dad . Even on his birthday , he has to tiptoe around and ask me if his real dad can be there . Don’t you think your nephew deserves better ?
“ He’s just a kid . As long as we’re there for him , isn’t that enough ? I’ve worked so hard to get here . Donald and I haven’t even gotten married yet . If you come clean now , have you even thought about how I feel ? ”
Teresa let out a cold laugh . “ You keep saying it’s for me , but honestly , it’s always about you . ”
“ I’m only thinking about myself ? That’s a joke , ” Jennifer said , not bothering to argue anymore . She glanced at her phone . Yesterday , she’d called Evelyn ; Evelyn said she’d come over .
Speak of the devil – Evelyn had just arrived downstairs . The security guard was stuck , not sure whether to let her in or stop her .
Teresa didn’t want to make things difficult for the staff , so she told them to let Evelyn in .
“ I heard from Jennifer that you’re planning to come clean about Mike . I don’t agree with you doing that ,” Evelyn said .
Teresa felt her heart go cold . “ And what right do you have to disagree , Ms. Davis ? Who are you to say no ? ”
Evelyn looked guilty . “ I know you blame me for taking Jonathan’s money and only telling you after I lost it all . That really was my fault . ”
“ What ? ” Jennifer , who hadn’t known about this , shot back sarcastically at Evelyn , “ Do you even know how to be a mother ? Why would you spend your daughter’s ex – husband’s money ? ”
Evelyn , knowing she was in the wrong , silently pulled out a bank card and handed it to Teresa . “ There’s a million dollars in here . I’ll pay back the remaining 1.5 million bit by bit . ”
Teresa frowned , “ Where did you get that much money ? ”
Evelyn answered honestly , “ I sold my house in Fernlandia , and some jewelry too . ”
Teresa went quiet , not sure what to say .
Jennifer took a deep breath. She really didn’t care whether Evelyn sold the house or not . “ What matters now is that Teresa wants to come clean about . Mike . You’re her mom – talk some sense into your daughter , ” she said coldly , turning her back on Teresa and Evelyn .
Evelyn sat down next to Teresa . “ You need to listen to her . She’s right . Have you even thought about the consequences if you spill the truth now ? What if the Lynn family calls off the wedding ? ”
“ Who cares ? ” Teresa replied , her face blank . “ It’s not my wedding on the line . ”
“ See ? ” Jennifer spun around and pointed at Teresa . “ She treats me like I’m the enemy . She just can’t stand to see me happy . ”
“ Oh , please . Who’s really the one who doesn’t want the other to be happy ? Jennifer , you’re not a part of our family . Didn’t you say you were done with the Johnston family ?
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“ If that’s the case , you shouldn’t have come back to Nareigh or called me your sister . Why do you have to meddle in everything ? Don’t you get tired of it ? ”
“ Teresa ,” Evelyn frowned , “ is that any way to talk to your sister ? ”
“ Why can’t I say it ? She’s the selfish one here . She’s spending the money Donald’s parents gave him for a car and claiming she’s buying me a house . I bet she just wants to keep a backup plan for herself . ”
“ You ! ” Jennifer’s face went pale with anger . “ Teresa , ever since your ex showed up , you’ve been more and more out of line . ”
“ Alright , that’s enough , both of you , ” Evelyn cut in , her head pounding , stopping the sisters before things got worse . “ Let me say something fair .
“ Even if you want to tell Jonathan the truth , you need to wait until Jennifer and Donald have their marriage certificate and the wedding is over . It won’t be too late to say it then .
“ But right now , absolutely not . If you stir up trouble in the Lynn family , her wedding will be off .
“ By then , everyone in Nareigh will laugh at me – Evelyn Davis , married twice and still unwanted , with two daughters : one divorced , the other dumped before her wedding . I’ll be the butt of every joke in town . I can’t let that happen . ”
Teresa listened quietly until Evelyn finished , then shot back , “ So your and Jennifer’s reputations are all that matter? Have you ever thought about Mike or me ? You’re my mom – don’t my feelings count for anything ? ”
“ I’m thinking of you , too . Just think about it – if Donald marries Jennifer , it actually helps your reputation . Once everyone in Nareigh knows your sister and Donald are together , they’ll see you and Jonathan are still on good terms .
“ That way , if you want to move on someday , no one will think you’re a woman of bad character . ”
“ Evelyn’s right , ” Jennifer , for once , agreed , glancing at Teresa . “ Our reputations matter – a lot . Especially yours .
“ You grew up in Nareigh ; you know everyone here . If you ruin my wedding now , the whole city will say there’s not a single decent woman in the Johnston family . ”
Teresa rolled her eyes . “ Oh , now you remember you’re a Johnston ? No one’s better at dodging responsibility than you . ”
“ You ! ” Jennifer was so furious at Teresa’s words that she stormed out , slamming the door behind her .
Evelyn looked toward the door and sighed helplessly , “ Can’t you two just get along ? Weren’t you two close before ? ”
“ We were , before we reconnected . But ever since then , she acts like being my sister gives her the right to control my life , to boss me around . ”
Evelyn sighed again , “ She’s just looking out for you . Aren’t you worried Irene might take Mike away ? ”
Teresa was exasperated that Evelyn and Jennifer were saying the exact same thing . “ Just go . I’ve got work to do . I’ll pay Jonathan back the one million dollars myself .”
“ You stubborn girl , ” Evelyn said , giving Teresa’s shoulder a squeeze before leaving . “ Please , just wait until Jennifer and Donald get their marriage … se Band the wedding’s over . It’s only a few more days .
“ Do you really have to stir up trouble on her big day ? People will think you can’t stand to see her happy , that you’re trying to ruin her wedding out of
you either . ” jealousy . You’ll ruin your own reputation , and Mike won’t be able to stay here with
Hearing that , Teresa fell silent .
“ It’s really that simple . Think it over , and don’t be so impulsive , ” Evelyn said as she strode out of Teresa’s office .