Chapter 528
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Donald added , “ Grandpa , you’d better not go . We’ll handle it . ”
Jonathan and Donald were on the same page . Sanford was specifically targeting Jonathan’s family . Given Hayden’s advanced age and with the truth still uncertain , it was best that Hayden , with his volatile temper , stayed out of it .
Cathy stayed home to care for Hayden , while Donald took time off to accompany Jonathan and Irene . Jonathan said , “ This isn’t your concern , Donald .
You don’t have to come . ”
Donald said , “ Let me come with you . I’ve already taken leave from the hospital , and I can have your back on the way . ”
Jonathan felt a warm glow in his heart . ‘ Looks like all the times I looked out for Donald weren’t for nothing after all ,’ he thought.
Hayden called out . “ Wait , Jonathan . ” Hayden then , with a trembling hand , plucked a few strands of his hair and handed them to Jonathan .
He said , “ With your father gone , there’s no way to confirm if Sanford is really his . If necessary , use my hair samples to run a DNA test with him . That’ll get
us to the truth . ”
“ Got it , Grandpa , ” Jonathan replied .
At Shaville , Liora barely opened her eyes in her hospital bed and was immediately greeted by Sanford .
Sanford cupped Liora’s hand to his cheek and said with a pang of guilt , “ I’m so sorry , Mom . I completely forgot about your heart condition . I shouldn’t have agitated you like that . ”
Liora shook her head with a weary sigh . “ My boy , I’m just glad you’re back . Please , stop obsessing over who your father is . Why won’t you ever listen to
me ? ”
Sanford couldn’t fathom why Liora had spent so many years running from this .
Sanford argued . “ How could any child not be desperate to know who their parents are ? I’m almost thirty , and only today have I finally mustered the courage to say who my father is . What a joke ! ”
Liora looked at her son Sanford’s pained expression , her voice trembling as she said, “ Sanford , I kept it from you because I didn’t want you to get hurt . ”
Sanford’s voice was full of frustration . “ Forget about whether I get hurt . What matters more to me is all the injustices you’ve suffered over the years . Mom , you’re just too cowardly . Why won’t you stand up to those who hurt you and confront them directly ? ”
Liora shook her head , her voice trembling with pain . “ Sanford , believe me . Yorick truly isn’t your father . ”
“ How long are you going to keep favoring them ? Irene’s son can carry the Lynn name , while you and I have to hide away , never able to return to our hometown . You say that Yorick is not my father , so who is my real father ? ”
Liora fell silent , her silence heavy with pain . She lowered her head in anguish , unable or perhaps unwilling to speak .
Sanford grew even more convinced that he was right . After years of piecing things together , he was certain that it was Yorick who had abandoned them . That explained why Liora never dared return to Naleigh .
“ Now that Yorick is gone , his son Jonathan and that woman , Irene , will pay for it together , ” Sanford said .”
Liora clutched her chest and gasped . “ No , that’s not … ”
Her hand fumbled for the call button . The doctor rushed in and immediately reprimanded Sanford . “ Don’t agitate your mother . Her heart can’t take this . ” Sanford pressed his lips into a thin line , his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white .
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His phone rang . Sanford narrowed his eyes , his gaze darkening with intensity . “ Hello ? Okay … ” Sanford answered tersely .
He hung up and turned to Liora on the bed . “ Mom , Irene and her son are here in Shaville . Perfect , saves us a trip . I’m heading out . ”
“ Sanford , please , ” Liora cried out , reaching after him helplessly as Sanford walked away without a backward glance . Her hand fell fimply to her side .
AD