Chapter 544

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Sanford found it strange . He thought , ‘ That’s Donald’s father , Jennifer’s father – in -law . Why is he staring at me like that ?
He asked , “ Sir , is there something on my face ? ”
Jolted by Sanford’s call , Werner realized he’d been staring at Sanford for too long and quickly looked away , a bit embarrassed .
At the restaurant’s entrance , Hayden called Sanford over .
After parking the car , Werner watched Sanford walk away , then quietly pulled Liora aside . Reaching into his pocket , he took out a bank card and handed it to her .
Liora’s face hardened . She asked , “ What’s this about ? ”
Werner said , “ I owe you and Sanford an apology . Donald’s wedding drained my savings , and I’m tight on cash right now . There’s 100 thousand on this card . Take it as compensation for you and Sanford . ”
Liora scoffed inwardly , ‘ 100 thousand as compensation for all these years ? ‘ After weathering life’s harshest storms , she couldn’t care less about such a paltry sum .
She snapped , “ Sanford and I don’t need your pathetic handout . Take it back . You’re not even Sanford’s father . ”
Liora shoved Werner’s hand away angrily , but Werner seized her wrist . He insisted , “ Sanford is my son . I’ve been looking at him up close for a long time , and he looks just like me . He is my son . ”
Liora glared at Werner and said , “ I did exactly what you told me . I said Sanford was Yorick’s son . A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth . Now , everyone believes Sanford is Yorick’s child , and you ? You’re just his uncle . ”
Werner clenched his fists tightly and yelled at Liora , “ This is all because of you . I told you back then that you should never have given birth to him . Now you’re making everyone miserable . ”
Liora said , “ I never intended for Sanford to go back to Nareigh and acknowledge you as his father . I didn’t want things to turn out like this either . ”
Before she could finish , a violent cough wracked her body . Blood splattered across the floor with each wrenching cough . The next second , she collapsed , unconscious . Werner’s frantic cries were the last thing she heard before darkness claimed her .
In the room , Hayden said to Sanford , “ Have a seat . ”
Sanford shook his head , maintaining a guarded distance . He said , “ No need , I’ll stand . What did you want to talk about ? ”
Hayden stepped right up to Sanford . This was the first time he had ever seen Sanford in person , not through a screen , not in photos or videos , but the real man , in the flesh . He looked Sanford up and down , studying him from every angle .
Sanford felt his skin crawl under Hayden’s intense scrutiny . He wondered what Hayden wanted from him . He asked again , “ Is there something you want
to talk about ? ”
Hayden said , “ Strange , you don’t look like Yorick at all . If anything , you’re the spitting image of your uncle . ”
Sanford asked , “ My uncle ? ”
Hayden replied , “ Yes , Yorick’s younger brother , Donald’s dad . Not sure if you know him . ”
Sanford said indifferently , “ I know him . Maybe nephews just take after their uncles . ”
Hayden thought , ‘ It is often said that a nephew takes after his maternal uncle , but I rarely hear that about a paternal uncle . ‘ Still , he didn’t give it much
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thought . He raised his hand .
Sanford took a wary step back and asked , “ What do you want ? ”
Hayden said , “ Let me get a good look at you . I never imagined Yorick had another son besides Jonathan .”
Sanford pressed his lips together , then stopped retreating , allowing Hayden’s gnarled hand to rest on his cheek .
Hayden’s eyes welled up with tears as he lowered his hand . He said , “ I’m sorry to Yorick . If only I’d supported his dream to study abroad instead of clinging to him out of fear , afraid I’d have no one to care for me .
“ Maybe then he would’ve had a different life , maybe even a longer one . ”
Sanford frowned in confusion . “ What do you mean ? ” he asked .
Hayden sighed and turned away from Sanford . He said , “ I had two sons . Back then , I favored Werner over Yorick . That’s why now , Jonathan is the one ! dote on the most . ”
Sanford sneered , “ Of course , he’s the richest one . ”
Hayden huffed . He said , “ This isn’t about money . Jonathan lost his father when he was just a boy . How could I not cherish him ? If only I’d known sooner
that you were Yorick’s son , too .
“ What a blessing it would’ve been for you and Jonathan to grow up together as brothers .”
Sanford said coldly , “ That was never going to happen . We don’t share the same mother , after all . ”
Hayden turned back around with a sigh . He said , “ You’re right . You two poor boys lost your father so young . You’ve had it rough . ”
Sanford’s eyes suddenly reddened . He clenched his fists and said , “ I never should have been born . I am nothing but a damned bastard . ”
Hayden said , “ Don’t think that way . I don’t know exactly what happened between Yorick and Cherry all those years ago , but that was their affair . None of this is your fault ; you’re blameless . ”
“ Cherry ? ” Sanford echoed , confused .
Hayden said , “ Before your grandfather passed away , your mother’s name was Cherry . She changed it later . Your grandfather and I were classmates . We used to play chess together all the time . ”
“ Is that so ? ” Sanford said flatly . He didn’t press further . From as far back as he could remember , Liora had been the only family he’d ever known .
Suddenly , a thick envelope stuffed with cash was shoved into Sanford’s hand by Hayden . Sanford pushed it back and said , “ I don’t want your money .”
Hayden said , “ Take this . If you ever need anything , just tell me quietly . I’ll always be here to help you out . ”
Sanford gave a bitter laugh . He sneered , “ I was born a disgrace , and I still am . I have to live in the shadows , hiding for the rest of my life , is that it ? ”
Helpless against Sanford’s distress , Hayden murmured , “ I’m sorry . ” He thought , ‘ Only the children are caught in the crossfire of the previous generation’s feuds . ‘
Sanford said , “ Guess this is my fate . I accept it . I don’t want to establish any ties with the Lynn family , least of all with Jonathan . From now on , I’ll keep my surname , Thomas . Maybe I’ll even change my name . ” With that , he walked out .
Benny arrived in Shaville full of enthusiasm . Believing Jonathan was about to sue Sanford for defamation , Benny was ready to take the case pro bono , only to discover that Jonathan had already dropped the lawsuit .
When Jonathan saw Benny arrive , he invited , “ Come keep me company for a drink . ”
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Benny raised an eyebrow and said , “ I thought that guy was still in lockup . ”
“ Just got out today , ” Jonathan replied and downed another glass in one gulp .
Benny hadn’t seen Jonathan drink this hard and fast in ages . He shot him a look and asked , “ What’s going on , man ? Did you and Teresa have another fight ? ”
Jonathan paused mid – sip , a faint , tender smile flickering across his lips as he recalled how Teresa had defended him . Then he shook his head slightly and murmured , “ It’s got nothing to do with her . ”
He drained yet another glass , brows tightly furrowed . He was already
on
his sixth glass .