Chapter 171

Jonathan left the Lynn residence. Instead of going to Tuviston Estate, he went to Forlisle Rose Estates. He had bought several mansions, and the one at Forlisle Rose Estates in Naraigh took a year to renovate. Just as he was thinking about Teresa, she called. Jonathan wasn't expecting her to make the first move.

Hearing his raspy voice, Teresa asked, “How are you holding up? Oh, and how’s Edward?”

“He’s much better. I gave him $10,000 to stop him from complaining. He told me catching a cold works wonders for his health,” Jonathan coughed. “But I’m still a bit under the weather.”

“Oh. I was planning to invite you, but maybe next time,” remarked Teresa.

Jonathan immediately changed his tone. “Invite me to what?”

Teresa revealed, “On March 6th, there’ll be a product launch event for Teresouth Group. I was wondering if you’d join us. Remember when I drove your car to a business meeting?”

“Well, two business owners are interested in partnering with me. They asked if you’d be attending the event. If you do, they’ll discuss a significant deal with us.”

Jonathan hummed an acknowledgment. “Which two companies?”

“One’s Broadwealth, and the other’s Flounshway,” replied Teresa.

Jonathan teased, “From Strico? Why are you venturing down south? You must be thinking of opening a Teresouth Group branch there.”

Teresa paused. “What if I am?”

Suddenly, Jonathan fell silent. After a moment, he said, “Wherever you go, I’ll find you. You don’t have to run away from me.”

“We’ve been divorced for three years already,” said Teresa.

“Before and after our marriage, I’ve been the only man in your life, so what if we’re divorced? So heartless, you,” Jonathan commented.

Teresa was frustrated. “I don’t have time to argue with you. I’m busy with the launch event. Let me know if you’re coming.”

“I’ll go,” Jonathan answered. Teresa acknowledged that and was about to hang up.

“Wait,” Jonathan’s deep voice sounded. “I’m truly sorry.”

That baffled Teresa. Jonathan explained, “Donald told me you were devastated and all alone when Hannah was in the crash. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me most.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. You haven’t done anything wrong.” Tears filled Teresa’s eyes as she hung up the phone.

With only a week left until Teresouth Group’s product launch event, Teresa was swamped with work. Jennifer finally stopped nagging her, knowing Teresa had a lot on her plate. That night, Jennifer was on a night shift and wouldn't be home; Teresa, too, would be home late. Michael, in turn, would be home alone. With the mountain of work, bringing Michael to the office wouldn't help Teresa either.

Thus, Teresa contacted Miriam. The latter had time to spare, so Teresa arranged for Michael to stay at Miriam’s place for the night. Teresa also casually mentioned to Miriam, “I think Edward might’ve fallen ill.”

“Ha!” Miriam’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “He texted me yesterday, saying he had a cold. I told him I wouldn’t fall for that anymore!”

“Okay, but this time, he really is sick, and it’s my fault. The night we all went out for supper, I forgot to put the covers on him before leaving, and he shivered all night,” elucidated Teresa.

Miriam froze upon hearing that. After Teresa left, Miriam checked her chat history with Edward repeatedly.

Edward: [I really caught a cold this time…] Miriam: [How many times are you trying to fool me with the same excuse? I’m five years older than you. I’m not dumb.] Edward: [Fine. I’m the boy who cried wolf. I guess you’ll never believe me again.]

Miriam did not respond after that text.

Considering what Teresa had said, Miriam figured Edward might actually have a cold. Still, Miriam thought, ‘So what if he really has a cold?’ Her hands, however, seemed to act on their own as she made a voice call to Edward.

“Hello?” Edward answered, still coughing.

Miriam uttered, “Do you really have a cold? My bad. I thought—”

Edward interrupted, “No, no, I’m the one who should apologize. I know how you feel about me and didn’t want to hurt your feelings, so when you invited me on a trip, I lied and said I was sick. It’s all my fault.”

Miriam squeezed her phone tightly and sniffled hard.

Edward was silent for a few seconds before he asked, “Are you crying? Don’t cry. We’re still friends, aren’t we?”

“Am I really that bad, Edward? Why can’t you like me just a little?” Miriam’s tears slid down her cheeks while Edward remained silent.

Miriam casually wiped her tears and smiled. “All right then, we’ll just be friends from now on. Let’s be open with each other.” She then hung up the call.

Edward suddenly felt a twinge of discomfort. Actually, when he woke up shivering that morning, he thought of Miriam. Had Miriam been there, she would have covered him with a blanket. Of course, he wasn’t blaming Teresa for forgetting to cover him with a blanket, for people always cared most about those they cherished.

The next minute, Edward texted Miriam: [Once I get better, where do you want to hang out? Hit me up, yeah. School reopens late.]

However, all he got back from Miriam were two words: [No need.]

That stumped Edward.

After Jennifer settled everything at the hospital, she decided to stop by Miriam’s place the next afternoon to pick up Michael. However, Miriam was not at home. Jennifer had Miriam’s WhatsApp contact because they were in a group chat together, so she added Miriam and spoke to her, but not Cheryl.

Miriam said, “I got something on, so I couldn’t watch Michael at home. I left him at the daycare center downstairs in the complex.”

“Got it.” Jennifer then went to the daycare center to get Michael.

The daycare teacher held Jennifer’s hands and told her that Michael was so handsome that two girls wanted to sit next to him, and they even got into a fight over it.

Then came Jennifer’s explanation, “Michael takes after my sister.”

“Oh, so you’re the boy’s aunt? I thought you were his mom! Good looks sure run in your family,” said the teacher.

“Thanks.” Jennifer merely chatted a bit with the teacher, and lo and behold, she lost sight of Michael.

During the interim, Michael ran across to Capston North Road, for he had spotted a black Maybach. Nevertheless, the license plate was different, not the usual series of sixes familiar to him. So, he leaned against the car window and muttered, his hands cupping his eyes, “Is this Mr. Lime’s car or not?”

Jonathan walked out of the store with a scarf. Behind him was his driver, who had forgotten to pick up the dry-cleaned scarf, which was why Jonathan decided to get it himself.

Seeing that familiar figure, Jonathan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Hmm? I wonder who’s peeking through my car window again.”

“Ah!” Michael wheeled around excitedly upon hearing the voice and threw himself into the arms of the Jonathan he had long missed.

Michael affectionately nudged Jonathan’s leg with his head, snuggling up to him. “Mr. Lime, you’ve been away for so long. I’ve missed you a ton! Why did the series of sixes on your car plate change to 1437?”

Jonathan caressed Michael’s head and said that he had switched that license plate onto another car. He owned a much more spacious five-seater Rolls Royce Cullinan, which he often drove out of Naraigh for business trips, while he usually drove that Maybach around the city.