Chapter 529

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Liora drifted into a dream that seemed to stretch on forever . She dreamed of her past : at a birthday party , she fell head over heels for the dashing tal and handsome Yorick at first sight .
But when she woke up after a drunken night , she found that the person lying next to her was
Werner .
Liora’s eyes snapped open with a start .
Suddenly , a male voice said , “ You’re awake . ”
Liora turned to see a figure she knew all too well . And the figure seemed to merge seamlessly with the remnants of her dream .
Her eyes widened in terror , her heart hammering against her ribs as she clutched the bedsheet in a death grip .
“ You … ” she stammered , staring at the figure as if she’d just seen a ghost , her breath hitched in her throat .
Werner said , “ Liora , after all these years , I truly thought we’d never cross paths again .”
Liora snapped back to reality , eyeing Werner warily . She asked , “ How did you find me here ? ”
Werner explained , “ I had your Shaville address . I went looking for you there , and your caretaker told me you were hospitalized , so I came to check on you . ”
Liora shook her head and said , “ I’m perfectly fine . There’s nothing between us anymore . Why would you even come see me ? ”
Werner hesitated . Age had given him thicker skin . After a long pause , he finally forced out the question . “ That boy Sanford , is he my son ? ” he asked , his voice strained .
Liora turned her face away , refusing to meet Werner’s gaze . She said , “ He’s my son , but not your flesh and blood .”
Werner’s mouth flattened . He asked , “ You’re certain he’s not ? ”
“ No , ” Liora answered curtly .
“ Whose son is he , then ? Yorick’s ? ” Werner pressed .
“ No , ” Liora said , shaking her head .
Werner sighed , seeing Liora stand her ground . He said , “ Back when we were classmates , I was smitten with you first . But the moment you laid eyes on Yorick , you were smitten with him instead .
“ Fate can be cruel . Yorick was already married . If you hadn’t thrown yourself into a fire like that , you wouldn’t have ended up in such misery . At the very least , you would have had me by your side . ”
Liora closed her eyes for a moment . Her tone was icy as she said , “ You have your wife and kids now . Why dig up the past ? ”
Werner nodded and said , “ You’re right . I love my wife and kids dearly , and I truly cherish the life I have now . When I was younger , I didn’t get it . But as I’ve grown older , I’ve come to realize that true happiness lies in simplicity .
“ But now this mess has happened , I have to come to see you . ”
Liora asked , “ What is it ? ”
Werner said , “ Don’t tell me you’re still in the dark . Your son , Sanford , has stirred up a hornet’s nest . ”
Liora looked utterly bewildered . She had no idea that Sanford had publicly denounced Jonathan and Irene online . For one , she rarely went online .
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For another , she’d been hospitalized with an angina attack right after her phone call with Sanford .
Right then , Werner laid out everything Sanford had done to Liora .
Liora’s eyes flew wide open in shock . She stammered , “ Sanford . How could he do this ? ”
Werner said , “ Tell me , who is Sanford’s father ? I remember you told me there was nothing between you and Yorick . Yet between us , we did have that
night . ”
Libra suddenly lost control , jabbing a finger at Werner . She said , “ Enough . Not another word . It’s been so many years . What happened between us – we agreed to forget it .
“ I’ve long since moved on . I’ve always seen you as just a friend . Period . ”
Werner said , “ Don’t get so worked up . I’m not trying to provoke you . I just want to know the truth .”
Liora said , “ I already told you , Sanford has nothing to do with Yorick . And he sure isn’t your son either . ”
Werner wasn’t buying it . He said , “ You know what ? I’ve watched that video fifty damn times , over and over , scrutinizing every single frame .
“ Sanford looks so much like me , barely anything like Yorick . So , he is my son , isn’t he ? Tell me , were you pregnant back then ? Just admit it , that’s my
child .”
Liora said , “ Sanford has nothing to do with your family , certainly not with you . Please , just stop asking . I’m begging you . ” Utterly drained of strength , she feebly pointed toward the door and added , “ Get out . Leave . ”
Werner refused to leave . His weathered eyes betrayed a clear panic . He pleaded , “ Liora , no matter who his father is , you must swear it’s not me . ”
Liora fixed Werner with an icy stare .
Werner finally explained , “ This whole mess has reached my father . If he finds out we had an affair in the past , it would ruin me . I have a wife and kids . God knows how they’d see me as a husband and a father .
“ I know it’s a huge ask , but you must insist Sanford is Yorick’s flesh and blood . Yorick’s been dead for years , so there’s no way to do a DNA test . ”
Liora’s gaze turned glacial . She snapped , “ Why should I help you ? I may owe Yorick , but I’ve never owed you a damn thing , Werner . ”
Werner said through gritted teeth , “ Fine , that slip of yours just confirmed it . Sanford is my flesh and blood . He’s my son .”
Liora bit her lip and remained silent .
Werner said , “ You’re such a fool . Why didn’t you just abort it back then ? You’re ruining us both . Do you have any idea you’re going to be the death of
me ? ”
Liora bit her lip . She thought , ‘ I’ve left Nareigh . How could I possibly harm anyone ? ‘
Werner said , “ Here’s what matters now : do exactly as I say . Swear that Sanford is Yorick’s flesh and blood . ”
Liora suddenly cried out , “ I won’t do it . Yorick is not Sanford’s father . ”
Werner remained eerily calm . He said , “ Sanford publicly denounced Irene and her son , causing an uproar . My nephew is now the CEO of Horizonlead Group . He could crush Sanford like a bug .
“ If he finds out everything Sanford said was false , just defamation and slander , what consequences do you think Sanford would face ? ”
Liora’s pupils constricted sharply at his words .
Werner , seeing Liora’s concern for Sanford , pressed on , “ You have to stick to this story . Otherwise , you know how Irene is . She’ll make sure Sanford ends up behind bars .
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“ Could you bear to see Sanford in jail ? As his father , I can’t . How could you , as his mother ? ”
Liora’s lips moved soundlessly , leaving her utterly speechless .
Werner reached out to pat Liora’s shoulder , but Liora flinched away , recoiling from his touch .
Though Liora tried to resist , Werner could tell his words had finally worn her down .
He shook his head with a weary sigh . Then he said , “ Take care of yourself , Liora . Your heart’s always been fragile . Make sure you get some rest . With that , he left .
Liora’s body went completely limp . Once she came back to her senses , she snatched up her phone and frantically searched for Sanford’s video , but it had already been deleted , leaving no trace to be found .
Sanford arrived at Shaville Airport and exchanged brief greetings with Donald .
Sensing the tension , Donald excused himself to the restroom , making a discreet exit .
Irene gave Sanford a thorough once – over from head to toe . There was something about his face that struck her as oddly familiar , though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why .
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