Chapter 543

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Liora coldly averted her gaze , completely ignoring Werner , and instead addressed Hayden .
Hayden looked at Liora and instinctively called out , “ Cherry . ”
Werner whispered in Hayden’s ear , “ She goes by Liora now , not Cherry anymore . ”
Hayden felt the name Cherry came more naturally to him . He and Liora’s father had been classmates back in the day .
Liora’s former name was Cherry . She changed it after someone told her family that although the name Cherry sounded sweet , it was often associated with stereotypes of strippers or sex workers .
This could easily give the impression of being unprofessional or lacking in seriousness .
In the end , the Thomas family renamed her Liora .
Liora felt a pang of disorientation at that moment . It had truly been ages since anyone had called her Cherry . Her eyes instantly reddened , and the next moment , she broke down .
With a trembling voice , she choked out , “ Mr. Lynn , Sanford was being immature . For all the trouble he’s caused your family , I’m truly sorry on his behalf . ”
Seeing Liora swaying unsteadily on her feet , Hayden instructed Werner , “ Help her sit down first . ”
Hayden let out a heavy sigh and said , “ Look at this whole mess . I came here specifically because of your son . Liora , how could you be so foolish ? How could you have Yorick’s child and keep it a secret all these years ? ”
Liora’s face twisted in pain as she wiped away her tears . She said , “ I’m sorry . It’s all my fault , I’m the guilty one . But Sanford is innocent . ”
Hayden rested his hand on his knee and shook his head helplessly . He said , “ After all , he’s still Jonathan’s brother . I don’t want to see them at each
other’s throats . ”
Liora’s expression brightened instantly . She said , “ You’re right . If you ask me , why don’t you just call Jonathan , have him drop the lawsuit immediately , and get Sanford released ? ”
Just then , Jonathan’s frigid voice cut through the air . He demanded , “ Since when does an outsider like you get to order my family around ? ”
Liora looked at the doorway as Jonathan appeared, her body stiffening .
Hayden and Werner also looked over .
Leaning on his cane , Hayden walked up to Jonathan and gave him a light swat on the arm in frustration . He said , “ Jonathan , why won’t you ever listen to me ? Didn’t I tell you to let Sanford go ? ”
Jonathan ignored Hayden . He fixed Liora with an icy stare and said , “ You want me to drop the charges against your son ? So if I let him go to jail , suddenly I’m the villain here ? ”
Liora bit her lip nervously . She said , “ That’s not what I meant . ”
Jonathan demanded , “ Then what exactly are you doing here ? ”
Werner stepped in , trying to smooth things over / He said , “ Jonathan , it was your grandfather who asked Liora to come . She didn’t just show up on her
own . ”
Liora said , “ No , Jonathan , you’re right . I’m ashamed to be here , but a mother’s heart aches for her child . I just want Sanford to be safe . Please , let him go . ”
As she spoke , she abruptly bowed to Joriathan . She pleaded , “ Please , Jonathan , let Sanford go . I’m begging you . ”
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Jonathan towered over Liora , his cold , expressionless face betraying only a hint of impatience in his eyes .
Werner couldn’t hold back any longer . He stepped forward and gently pulled Liora’s arm to stop her bowing , and then called out to Jonathan , “ Jonathan , why do you have to be so hard on a mother ? ”
Jonathan noticed how concerned Werner was about Liora and asked coldly , “ Werner , what’s your relationship with her ? ”
Werner explained , “ Liora and I were classmates . She adored your father , but I never imagined she’d go to such lengths . Still , you and Sanford share the same father . Just let your brother go . ”
Jonathan fell silent for a long moment . Finally , he said , “ I’ll let him go – but on one condition .”
“ What condition ? ” Liora asked anxiously .
Jonathan enunciated each word , his tone final , “ Sanford will remain a Thomas . He is not to take the Lynn name .”
At these words , Werner instinctively turned to gauge Hayden’s reaction .
Jonathan turned to Hayden and said coldly , “ If Sanford takes the Lynn name , it’ll throw everything into chaos . If illegitimate children can just waltz into the family , what good is the Lynn family’s order then ? ”
“ I agree , ” Liora said after a pause . She turned to Hayden and said , “ I resorted to underhanded means back then to conceive Yorick’s child . He never knew ; he was already married at the time .
“ What I did was disgraceful , so I never expected Sanford to take the Lynn name . ”
Hayden slapped his knee and let out a heavy sigh of resignation . He said , “ Fine , let’s do it this way for now . ”
Hayden knew full well that if he took Sanford in , Jonathan wouldn’t hesitate to cut ties with him , and Jonathan was entirely capable of such a decisive
act
Compared to a grandson he felt no real connection to , Hayden preferred and relied more on Jonathan . So , at that moment , Hayden gave in .
Werner remained silent throughout , his expression a mixture of conflicting emotions .
After four long days in detention , Sanford was finally set free .
Liora had been anxiously waiting at the entrance for over two hours to pick up Sanford . Seeing Sanford emerge from the detention center , his chin covered in stubble , her heart ached as she gently took his arm .
She said , “ You’ve been through so much , Sanford . ”
Sanford , still confused , asked , “ Mom , why did Jonathan drop the charges against me ? Did you plead with him ? ”
Liora deftly changed the subject . She said , “ Anyway , what matters is you’re out now , safe and sound .”
“ Mom , ” Sanford called .
Liora gently cut him off . She said , “ Enough now . Let’s not dwell on this . I’ll take you to a nearby hotel so you can freshen up , and then we’ll have a proper meal before heading home . ”
Sanford remained silent , letting Liora pull him along . He had no idea what Liora had endured in his absence .
Just then , a black Toyota pulled up and gave two short honks .
Werner stepped out of the car , his gaze complicated as he looked at Sanford . He then turned to Liora and said , “ Hayden sent me , I borrowed a friend’s car to pick you up for dinner . Hayden has already reserved a private room for us . ”
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Sanford was reluctant to get in the car .
Liora said , “ Get in . After this meal , we’re done with the Lynns for good . ”
Sanford grew even more puzzled . He wondered what Liora had been up to while he was away .
In the back seat , Liora gently patted Sanford’s hand with a soft smile and said , “ It’s so nice to be able to look at you like this . ”
Sanford couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted out , “ Mom , are you hiding something from me ? ”
Liora shook her head slightly and said , “ No. Hayden is your grandfather . Remember to call him Grandpa when you see him . ”
Sanford muttered , “ 4 won’t call him that . ”
Liora said , “ Sanford , you mustn’t be disrespectful to Hayden . If it weren’t for his mercy , you wouldn’t have been released so soon . ”
Sanford pressed his lips together and remained silent . Suddenly , he felt someone’s gaze upon him . He looked up and met Werner’s intense stare through the rearview mirror – their eyes locked in a brief , charged moment .
AD